Gemotions

The cage. It sat in the middle of the kitchen table, a monument to his roommate's recklessness. A parrot, squawking loudly and preening its feathers. The cacophony of the squawks hit him like a physical blow.

His head began to pound. He envisioned waking up to the incessant chatter, the mess, the destruction. His carefully constructed peace was gone. A tight, constricting sensation coiled around his chest.

"He's a great talker, Andrew!" His roommate, Michael, beamed, as the parrot let out another piercing cry. Andrew stumbled backward, away from the cage, away from the noise, wanting only to escape.