Gemotions

The scent of stale coffee hung in the air as John surveyed the disarray of his dorm room. His journal, usually tucked away in his drawer, sat prominently on the nightstand. His stomach churned. A strange, insistent feeling had taken hold.

His roommate, Ben, was out at a frat party. John felt a surge of… something. He wanted to scream, to rage, to protect the things that were his. The idea of someone else reading his private thoughts was a personal affront. He wanted to claim his things and keep them locked away.

He picked up the journal, his hands trembling. He found himself flipping through the pages, his breath catching in his throat. He felt the urgent need to keep his secrets safe. The feeling was overwhelming, a need to possess and protect.

He locked his journal in the desk drawer. The feeling of control, of ownership, was a strange comfort.