Gemotions

“Mr. Petrov, we have some… concerns, about your results,” the doctor began, her voice hesitant. Ivan, a man of few words, simply raised an eyebrow. The silence stretched, heavy and expectant. His pulse quickened.

The news was a series of medical tests that revealed he had a rare sexually transmitted disease. It was so out of context that he felt physically sick. His whole life felt like it was crumbling.

He stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. He mumbled a hasty "Thank you" and fled, the doctor's bewildered expression a branding iron on his back. He needed to be somewhere else. Anywhere else.