Gemotions

The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound in the apartment. James sat at the kitchen table, staring at the ceiling, trying to breathe evenly. His chest felt tight, as if a weight was pressing down on him. The air seemed to have thickened, making it difficult to draw a full breath.

He'd found the book, "The Cracks in the Facade," in a shoebox under the bed. The character, "Vincent," was a caricature of himself - overly critical, prone to fits of temper, and utterly incapable of showing vulnerability.

He felt the hot sting of tears behind his eyes. He got up to get a glass of water, his legs suddenly heavy.