Gemotions

The rustling in the alleyway alerted Thomas, and he found it, nestled beneath a discarded mattress. He crouched, surveying the scene: the grimy brick walls, the reek of stale beer, the overall feeling of neglect. The wallet, surprisingly, looked pristine. He opened it and was blinded by the flash of green.

He felt the familiar knot in his stomach tighten. The world had always seemed to conspire against him, and now, here it was again, showcasing everything he didn't have. He thought about the rent, overdue. The groceries, already a distant memory. He considered calling the police.

He kicked the mattress, a gesture born from a deep-seated ache. The universe expected him to be a good person. He decided he wouldn’t.