Gemotions

He slumped onto the threadbare sofa, the upholstery digging into his back. The apartment felt colder than usual, a damp chill seeping through the cracked windowpanes. He’d barely spoken all day, the silence amplifying the echo of his own thoughts.

He picked up a copy of *The Odyssey* from the stack beside him, a book he’d never finished. He thumbed through the pages mechanically, his gaze unfocused. Suddenly, something slipped out: a pressed flower, its color faded, and a small note.

“Remember the beach? The best day ever. I wish we could go back.” The handwriting was unfamiliar, yet a sharp pang of… something… resonated within him. He traced the words, a sigh escaping his lips. For a moment, the walls of his isolation seemed to shift.