Gemotions

The office Christmas party. What a festive occasion, thought Michael, as his usual jovial façade faltered. He’d been avoiding Chloe all evening, a task made increasingly difficult by the festive atmosphere and the liberal flow of eggnog. Now, across the crowded room, he saw her approach. He immediately felt a wave of cold rush through him, leaving him chilled to the bone.

He pretended to be engrossed in a conversation with a colleague, but his attention was elsewhere, his ears straining for her voice. The cheerful music seemed to amplify the hammering of his heart.

"Michael, fancy seeing you here!" Chloe exclaimed, her voice bright. He turned to face her, managing a weak smile. He felt a desperate urge to flee, to find a dark corner and hide. The memory of the campfire, the darkness, the whispers, tightened its hold on his mind.