Gemotions

“The results are in, Mr. Johnson,” the doctor began, his tone neutral. The man swallowed.

He looked at the printout, his breath catching in his throat. It documented a long-term drug addiction, a history he did not possess. He had never touched narcotics. He had always taken pride in his clean living. A cold sweat broke out across his forehead. His vision swam.

He felt a deep sense of violation, as though something precious had been stolen. The shame of being associated with a life so different from his own settled over him. He felt an intense need to disprove this, to wash himself clean of the false accusation. The world seemed to wobble.

The doctor was still talking, but the words faded in the background, replaced by a roaring in his ears. He wanted out.