Gemotions

He stared at the time capsule, his face tight with a tension he couldn't quite name. It was buried deep in his garden, a place he usually found peace. Now, digging it up felt like a betrayal. He ran a hand through his hair, dislodging dirt and leaves. The metal box, once pristine, was now covered in rust and earth.

Inside, he found a collection of his favorite childhood toys and a recording of him speaking. He listened to the tape, the sound of his younger self filling the garage. It triggered something—a wave of unease. He felt trapped, pinned down by the past. A headache throbbed behind his eyes.

He snapped the tape from its case, the plastic cracking. He slammed the box shut. He didn't want to think about the past, he just wanted this feeling to disappear.