Gemotions

"They're… what?" Michael stammered, his voice catching in his throat. He stared at the student newspaper headline, the words swimming before his eyes. He felt a tightening in his throat, making it difficult to breathe. He wanted to scream, to lash out, but instead, he remained rooted to the spot.

He thought of the loans, the part-time job he barely managed to keep up with, the sacrifices he’d made. A coldness spread through his limbs. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. He couldn’t process it.

He stumbled outside, the vibrant autumn colors of the trees seeming to mock his inner turmoil. He pulled his jacket tighter, as if to ward off a physical chill that had settled deep within his bones. He slumped onto a bench, the world blurring around him.