Gemotions

He caught the glint of the sunlight off the measuring tape, his stomach twisting into a knot. He glanced at the survey marker, a stark declaration of ownership, and a symbol of everything he dreaded. He cleared his throat, feeling a strange tightness in his chest.

The thought of diminished space, of a more rigid environment, ignited a spark of unease. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, unable to stand still. He mumbled something about the weather, wanting desperately to change the subject, to evade the impending, inevitable changes.