Gemotions

He’d parked the car across the street, as far away as he could without appearing suspicious. Alex kept a careful distance. He didn't want to get involved, didn't want to be seen. But he couldn't *not* be here.

His stomach was churning. He felt a deep ache radiating from his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He stared at the house, a hulking presence against the twilight sky. The yellow tape, cordoning off the area, felt like a noose. He ran a hand over his face, trying to scrub away the tightness in his jaw.

He leaned against the cold metal of his car, seeking solace in its impersonal solidity. The first lights of the excavator flickered on. He couldn’t stay. He wouldn’t stay.