Gemotions

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across Ethan’s face. He’d found the wallet in the alleyway behind the restaurant, a place he usually avoided. Now, the dim light revealed its contents—a thick roll of bills, more than he’d earned in a month.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn't realized he was doing. The air grew thick, heavy. He couldn’t seem to swallow.

He looked around the room, at the bare walls, the single cot. His meager existence, his life, felt suddenly, horribly… small. He got up from his chair. The wallet felt hot in his hand.