Gemotions

He stared at the small, plastic cage on the counter. Inside, a tiny, brown gerbil scurried around. "A gerbil?" his voice was barely audible. He felt a throbbing sensation behind his eyes. The room seemed to tilt slightly.

The apartment, which had always felt like a sanctuary, now seemed to shrink. He imagined the incessant noise, the constant upkeep, the potential for escape. The thought of a tiny rodent taking over their space filled him with a sense of unease. He wanted to leave, to go anywhere but here.

"He needs a name," his roommate, Ethan, chirped, completely unfazed. He swallowed hard. The feeling of being trapped was overwhelming.