Gemotions

He’d known, of course. A creeping dread had settled in his stomach weeks ago, a nagging premonition. But to see it confirmed, the formal letter lying on his desk… it was different. John ran a hand through his hair, the gesture a desperate attempt to bring order to the chaos.

He felt a sudden, almost overwhelming urge to flee. To pack a bag, to get in his car, to just drive. Anywhere. He stood, pacing the small apartment, his movements jerky and erratic. The silence was deafening, amplified by the frantic hammering of his heart.

He grabbed his jacket, his hands fumbling with the zipper. He stared at the closed door, a gateway to a world he no longer understood. He took a deep, shuddering breath, then another, struggling to regain control.