Gemotions

The sun, usually a welcome warmth on his skin, felt like a burning spotlight. James walked home, the city streets normally buzzing with life felt barren and desolate. Each familiar landmark was a painful reminder of what he had lost. The ice cream shop where the team celebrated victories, the park where they practiced drills – they all mocked him with their normalcy. His steps faltered, and he leaned against a building, the rough brick scraping against his cheek. He closed his eyes, the image of the coach's face burned into his eyelids.