Gemotions

The news hit Chris like a physical blow. He stood in the hallway, staring at the email on his phone. The words blurred before his eyes. His stomach twisted, and he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

He canceled all his plans, including a long-awaited hangout with friends. He told them he wasn’t feeling well, a vague, insufficient explanation. He felt an intense need to be alone, to disappear from the world.

He spent the evening in his room, the curtains drawn, shielding himself from the outside world. He sat in his chair, staring out the window, his mind replaying the day’s events over and over. He felt lost and adrift. The world seemed to fade, as if seen from a great distance. He stared at the wall, wishing he could somehow erase the last few days.