Gemotions

The news had been bad all day. But this? This was the final straw. He'd come to the spot, expecting the sturdy, green embrace of the pine he'd planted. Instead, there was nothing. A gaping, raw wound in the earth.

He stood frozen, his jaw locked. He felt a sudden, sharp pain in his stomach. His breath quickened, a series of short, shallow gasps. He brought a hand up to his forehead, feeling the sweat beading there.

He pictured the little sapling he had planted, his tiny hands helping to nurture it. His legs felt heavy, as if weighted down. He looked around wildly, as though expecting to see the culprit. He felt a cold rage bubbling up, burning in his chest.