Gemotions

The silence was the worst part. The quiet of the apartment, now punctuated by the incessant clicking of the gecko’s claws on the glass terrarium. His roommate, Kevin, was utterly enamored. He had named it "Scales."

His teeth started to ache. He imagined the darkness, the insects, the feeding rituals. A chill crept up his spine. He envisioned a future filled with silent, reptilian stares.

"He's a real character, doesn't he seem like a good roommate, Tom?" Kevin asked, oblivious to the fact that Tom was frozen, unable to respond, a cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.