Gemotions

The elevator ride felt like an eternity. He kept checking his watch, knowing it wouldn't make the agonizing minutes pass any quicker. He had seen the numbers. The fresh-out-of-college kid was making more than him. He felt hollow, as if someone had scooped out his insides. He thought of all the late nights, the sacrifices, the missed birthdays.

The doors opened, and he stepped out into the bustling street. The noise of traffic, the chattering of people, the honking cars – everything felt like an assault. The sun seemed too bright, the air too thick. He walked aimlessly down the sidewalk, the familiar streets now appearing alien.

He pulled his phone from his pocket, stared at the screen, and then quickly shoved it back in again. He didn't want to talk to anyone, couldn’t bear the thought of forming sentences.