Gemotions

The office building loomed before Michael, a concrete monolith. He stood on the sidewalk, the prospect of entering a job he once enjoyed now filled him with dread. His stomach churned. Each day felt like slogging through quicksand. He felt an intense lack of vitality.

A woman walked past, her gaze lingering on him. She turned back, her face a mask of concern.

"Are you all right?" she asked. "You look… vacant."

Michael shrugged, the effort of forming a response almost too much.

"I know," she said, her voice soft. "It's the 'Null Effect,' isn't it? The condition where you feel nothing?" She mentioned a support group, and they quickly arranged to meet. Michael felt a tiny flicker of hope, something he hadn't experienced in a very long time.