Gemotions

The library felt different. Before, it had been a sanctuary, a quiet place to study and reflect. Now, the hushed whispers and rustling pages seemed to amplify his anxiety. He avoided the window seats, fearing the gaze of anyone outside, scrutinizing him. He chose a table tucked away in the back, hunched over his notes, his body tense. He kept a hand pressed against his chest, as if trying to shield his heart. Each creak of a chair, each cough, made him flinch. He jumped at the librarian’s quiet request for silence.