Gemotions

The apartment felt cavernous, even though it was small. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, but they only served to highlight the emptiness. Elias stared at the takeout container on the coffee table, the remnants of his dinner. He hadn't touched it since he’d finished eating, and now it seemed to stare back at him. He sighed and stretched, a sound that echoed unnaturally loud in the silence.

His roommate, Mark, clattered in the kitchen, preparing some elaborate dish. Elias envied Mark’s easy sociability, the way he seemed to effortlessly fill the space with sound and purpose.

“So, about the cat…” Elias began, his voice hesitant. He’d seen a fluffy Persian kitten at the shelter. The thought of something soft and dependent brought a warmth to his chest.

Mark emerged from the kitchen, a wooden spoon in his hand. “Absolutely not, man. We talked about this. No animals.” His tone was firm. Elias deflated.

Later, Elias lay in bed, the sounds of Mark’s laughter and a television show drifting through the thin walls. He ran a hand over the cold sheets, a familiar chill settling in his gut.