Gemotions

The used bookstore was a haven for Elias. He pulled a copy of *Hamlet* from the shelf, wanting to lose himself in the familiar tragedy. A small, folded paper emerged. It was a poem, written in a shaky hand.

The poem spoke of unrealized potential, of dreams left unfulfilled. Elias felt a chill crawl down his spine. He'd lived a life defined by missed opportunities, by a fear of failure. He should have taken that risk, should have followed his passions. Now, the weight of what might have been crushed him. He closed the book, his knuckles white.