Gemotions

The silence of the house pressed against him like a physical presence. The familiar creaks of the floorboards, usually a source of comfort, now felt like a taunt. He kept his headphones on, blasting music, a desperate attempt to drown out the internal clamor.

His sister, home for a visit, had tried to engage him in conversation, but he'd just mumbled noncommittal responses. Her bubbly laughter grated on his nerves. He felt a deep disconnect, a sense of being adrift in a sea of normalcy.

He sat for hours, staring out the window, watching the leaves fall from the trees. The vibrant colors of autumn seemed to mock his inner monochrome. He was a spectator, watching life continue without him. The air seemed thin, difficult to breathe.