Gemotions

"No, no, no," whispered Daniel, his voice barely audible above the hum of the refrigerator. He paced his tiny kitchen, the friend request glowing menacingly from his phone screen. Kevin Peterson. The name struck a raw nerve. He'd done everything to move on, to leave the past behind. Now, this.

He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. His stomach churned with a mixture of dread and something akin to rage. He felt trapped, cornered. The walls of his apartment seemed to be closing in, suffocating him. He needed to escape, to breathe.

He slammed his phone onto the counter, the force of the action surprising him. He grabbed his keys and rushed out the door, the sudden blast of fresh air doing little to alleviate the feeling of being trapped. He felt a deep urge to scream, to lash out. The world felt hostile, full of unseen dangers.