Gemotions

The silence of the library pressed in on Daniel. The hushed whispers and the rustling of pages should have soothed him, but instead, they only amplified the discord within him. He felt pinned down, unable to breathe deeply. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture somehow unable to untangle the mess of his thoughts.

He'd met with Mark at the cafe earlier. Mark remembered the day in the park with fondness. He spoke of sun-dappled lawns, a shared picnic basket, and heartfelt conversation. Daniel remembered the relentless heat, the oppressive silence between them, the hollow feeling in his chest.

“It was so perfect,” Mark had said, smiling. Daniel felt a cold shiver run down his spine. The air felt heavy, and thin. He felt a pressure behind his eyes.