Gemotions

The hospital room was sterile, the air thick with the smell of antiseptic. Mark stood beside the bed, watching his childhood friend, David, sleeping peacefully. David had been in an accident, and he was surrounded by machines. Mark had flown across the country to see him. He had hoped, against hope, that David would know him.

He knew he wouldn't. He looked at David’s face, etched with a peaceful mask, and felt a crushing weight settle on his shoulders. He reached out to brush the hair away from David’s forehead, then quickly pulled his hand back, as if burned.

The silence of the room was overwhelming. He took a deep breath, fighting the tide of something he didn’t wish to name. He turned and quietly left.