Gemotions

The bus, his refuge, his sanctuary, was now a cage. The ambient music crackled to life, and then, the familiar notes. His song, “Wandering Soul.” He felt his jaw clench, his teeth grinding. The other passengers seemed oblivious, lost in their own worlds. He was trapped.

He pressed his face against the window, the cool glass a small comfort. His hands were shaking. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The song continued, a slow, mournful rendition.

He wanted to rip his ears out. He wanted to scream at the driver to stop. He wanted to be invisible. He closed his eyes, willing the nightmare to end.