Gemotions

He found himself staring at the unfinished crossword puzzle, the pen lying dormant in his hand. The job at the library, the one that meant so much, was now out of reach, lost to him. Thomas and Daniel, his closest friend, had both sought it. It was the only thing that had felt right since the loss.

He ran a hand over his face, feeling the prickle of stubble. He hadn't shaved in days. The apartment felt suffocating, filled with echoes of laughter that no longer existed. The scent of Daniel’s cologne, which had lingered on the couch the last time he’d seen him, seemed to taunt him.

A notification popped up. A congratulatory message from Daniel on LinkedIn. Thomas tossed his phone on the table. The words shimmered, a distorted reflection of a world he no longer recognized. He considered deleting his account.