Gemotions

The clock on the microwave in the break room ticked relentlessly, each second feeling like an hour. Liam leaned against the counter, picking at a loose thread on his sweater. His lunch, a sad-looking sandwich, remained uneaten on the counter. The world felt muted, lacking definition, like a photograph out of focus. He could barely focus on anything.

“Liam, are you alright?” Janice asked as she entered the room, her voice full of concern. She was holding a mug of tea. “You seem… distant.”

He shrugged. "Just a bit sluggish, I guess."

“Did you ever go to Camp Silverwood?” Janice asked suddenly. "I saw a picture the other day and it reminded me of the camp."

Liam's eyes flickered, a faint spark of recognition. “Silverwood?” he muttered. “The one with the awful archery range?”

Janice laughed, shaking her head. "Yes! I spent all summer there, wishing I was somewhere else."

"I did too," he admitted, a small smile finally appearing.