Gemotions

The doctor’s words echoed in Elias’s skull, a hollow, booming announcement. His hands began to shake uncontrollably, the manila folder clattering onto the pristine white table. A cold wave of nausea washed over him, making his stomach churn. He stared at the name – not his – printed boldly on the cover, a stranger’s life staring back at him. He stammered, “But… this can’t be right.” His voice cracked. He felt his face flush hot, then ice over.

His vision swam. He gripped the edge of the table, knuckles white, fighting the urge to bolt from the room. The doctor’s face blurred, the words of explanation becoming a meaningless drone. He felt disconnected, as if watching a movie of his own life, a movie that had just taken a very, very wrong turn.