Gemotions

The world felt muted. The vibrant colors of the autumn leaves seemed dull, the lively chatter of his sister and her kids grated on him. He sat on the porch, watching the evening settle, his fingers tracing the rim of a cold glass of tea. He felt the weight of unspoken expectations pressing on him.

His mother came outside, placing a hand on his arm. “Are you sure you’re adjusting okay, Liam? You seem… distant.”

He forced a smile, a thin, brittle thing that barely reached his eyes. "Just tired." He looked out at the darkening landscape, feeling the shadows mirror the ones that haunted his own thoughts.