Gemotions

He began checking his locks three, four, even five times before leaving his apartment. The feeling of vulnerability, a cold wave washing over him whenever he stepped into the hallway, was becoming unbearable. The condo conversion was the culprit.

He avoided his neighbors, now regarding them with suspicion. Did they already know about the coming changes? Had they already made their offers? Were they whispering about him behind his back? He found himself scrutinizing their faces, searching for hidden agendas.

In the grocery store, he moved his cart erratically, dodging perceived threats in the form of other shoppers. The news felt amplified; the world now bristled with menace. Every cough, every accidental brush of a shoulder, triggered a surge of fear.