Gemotions

The coffee cup trembled in Leo’s hands, sloshing dark liquid onto the table. He stared at David, who was recounting a hilarious anecdote about a runaway canoe at Camp Clearwater. It was all a blur. The laughter, the easy camaraderie – it felt like a cruel joke.

He fought to maintain a calm facade, but his jaw clenched. He found it difficult to breathe. The air in the office suddenly felt too thin. He tried to remember what he was supposed to be doing, what they were supposed to be talking about. It was all gone.

“The… the talent show…” Leo stammered, his voice betraying him. He needed to get out, he needed to be anywhere but here, listening to these casual recollections of a place that held such a darkness. He stood abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor.

He mumbled something about a forgotten phone call and then fled to the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.