Gemotions

James stared at the email, the words on the screen blurring. His stomach lurched. He felt a sudden, desperate urge to flee, to escape the confines of his tiny apartment and the crushing weight of his dashed aspirations. He abruptly stood, knocking over his chair. He didn’t bother to pick it up. He paced, each footfall a hammer blow against the silent floorboards. He’d envisioned himself, years from now, signing copies of his book, a smile plastered on his face. Now, a cold dread clawed at the edges of his optimism.