Gemotions

The world seemed to shrink around Daniel. The brightly colored notice, proclaiming the "exciting transformation," crumpled in his hand. He felt a physical pressure in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He’d built a life here, a quiet, simple life.

He walked through the rooms, the furniture feeling alien. The familiar scent of old books and dried flowers, once comforting, now triggered a wave of nausea. He avoided the living room, avoiding the empty space where his partner had once been.

He sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight. He looked at the window, the city lights blurred through a film of tears. The future, once a clear path, was now shrouded in fog.