Gemotions

“Are you sure you want to go out tonight?” Michael’s wife asked, her voice filled with concern. He could hear it. He was a danger to his own peace.

"Yeah. Just needed some air."

He felt the prickle of sweat form on his forehead. The medical mistake. The wrong file. He felt the need to get away, to distance himself from everything. From everyone.

The city lights blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors as he drove. Each person he passed was a possible adversary. He stared in the rearview mirror, at all of the cars following him. He took the exit to the highway. It was better to be alone. To be safe.

He checked the gas tank. Then the doors. The windows. He didn't know what to do. The radio played a song, but he turned it off. He needed silence.