Gemotions

The air hung heavy with the scent of stale coffee and unwashed dishes. Sam sat at the kitchen table, staring at the peeling wallpaper. The patterns blurred, lost in his gaze. He hadn't bothered to shave, and his clothes were rumpled.

His roommate, Josh, burst in, holding a cat carrier. "I found a cat! It’s orange and fluffy and needs a home!" Josh's face was lit up with excitement. “We can call him… Garfield!”

Sam didn’t react, his eyes remained fixed on the wall. He couldn't muster any enthusiasm. The prospect of having to feed something, clean up after it, and generally… interact with another living being felt like a monumental effort. He felt a deep, sluggish inertia, as if every movement required Herculean strength.

"Aren't you happy?" Josh asked, his enthusiasm deflating slightly.

"I’m… neutral," Sam mumbled, not even bothering to look up.