Gemotions

He stared at the birthday card, his fingers slowly clenching, until his knuckles were white. Michael ripped the card open, and scanned the generic message. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to flee.

He slammed the door so loud the glass in the window rattled. He paced in the room. He felt a burning in his chest, a pressure. He needed air. He flung open the window, breathing deeply, trying to calm himself.

He kept glancing at the card, as if it had somehow become a physical threat. He reached for it, and then hesitated, his hand trembling. He was frozen in a moment of intense disquiet.