Gemotions

The sun was already setting, casting long shadows across the hallway. Michael, tired after a long day, slumped against the wall and looked through the mail. Another electric bill, a junk magazine… and then, a card. A simple, elegant card, with a stylized drawing of a flower. No name. His birthday was fast approaching.

He crushed the card in his hand, the paper becoming a tight ball. He felt a familiar knot of discomfort tighten in his stomach. He was being taunted. He knew it. This was their game. A gesture of kindness. A cruel joke.

He walked to the fridge and poured himself a large glass of ice water, the cold liquid a temporary distraction. But the emptiness inside of him remained, like a bottomless well. He would make them pay. He would.