Gemotions

The phone slipped from his numb fingers, clattering onto the hardwood floor. The news – the cancellation – had stolen his voice, leaving a hollow echo in its wake. He felt a tingling sensation, a prickling of gooseflesh across his skin. His mind raced, a chaotic jumble of shattered expectations.

He slowly sank to the floor, his body heavy and unresponsive. The vibrant party decorations, the colorful balloons, suddenly seemed garish and mocking. He didn't want to look at them, didn't want to be reminded of the festive occasion that would never be.

His chest tightened, making it difficult to draw a full breath. The walls seemed to be closing in, the air growing thick and suffocating. He curled into a ball, seeking comfort in a darkness that threatened to consume him.