Gemotions

The silence that had settled in the house felt oppressive. The relentless drizzle had finally stopped, and with it, the familiar sounds of nature had abruptly ceased. The calm was unnerving. He'd been trying to focus on his work, but his mind kept drifting, unable to settle. A shrill, unexpected pop, like a firecracker, brought him upright. The large, elegant birch next door had toppled in the wind.

A coldness spread through Leo's veins. He felt a desperate need to retreat, to disappear. He wanted to scream. He walked to the window and saw the aftermath. The sight of the massive trunk, lying across the garden, sent a fresh wave of panic through him.

He pictured the aftermath: the damage, the discussions, the endless questions. His hands were clammy, and he wiped them on his jeans. The very air around him seemed to thicken. He needed to get away, to escape the suffocating feeling. He quickly left and started driving.