Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mimicking the rhythm in Elias's chest. He'd been huddled on the couch all morning, a half-eaten bowl of cereal on the coffee table growing increasingly soggy. When the mail finally arrived, he barely registered the thud until the sound echoed in the otherwise quiet apartment. He dragged himself to the door, figuring it was just bills. Tucked amongst the junk was a brightly colored envelope. No return address, just his name scrawled on the front. A birthday card. He hadn't told anyone his birthday was coming up, not this year. He opened it carefully, a faint tremor in his hands. Inside, a generic sentiment, unsigned. A knot tightened in his stomach.