Gemotions

The sun, a fiery disc in the sky, cast long shadows across the dusty living room. He sat on the worn armchair, the newspaper open in his lap but unread. He’d seen the signs, the subtle shifts, the whispers in the hallways. The announcement had been a formality.

He felt the familiar ache in his lower back, a constant companion. He let his head fall back against the chair, closing his eyes. He heard the faint murmur of voices from the street below. He simply… let the world wash over him, a tide he could no longer resist.

He breathed deeply. He was tired.