Gemotions

The phone rang, jolting Elias from his stupor. He jumped, his heart hammering against his ribs. He’d been sitting on the couch for hours, the rejection letter clutched in his hand like a lifeline. He wasn’t sure how he felt. It wasn’t exactly sadness. More like a disorienting sensation, as if his reality had been subtly altered.

He answered the phone, his voice a little rougher than usual. His friend, Sarah, was on the other end, chattering about dinner plans. Elias mumbled a polite agreement, but his mind was elsewhere. He found himself staring at the dust motes dancing in the sunlight, completely captivated. He couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything. Everything seemed to have lost its meaning.