Gemotions

He stared at the screen, the image of his childhood bedroom, now rendered a stark, sterile white, making him squirm. It was… different. The wallpaper with the spaceships, the posters of his favorite bands – all gone. He felt a phantom ache in his chest, the dull sting of exposure. He had the sudden urge to run a hand through his hair, but stopped himself. Was he really thinking about what *they* would think of his posture?

He clicked on the virtual tour, his gaze darting around the room, taking in every detail. The hardwood floor, shiny and new. The crisp white curtains. The complete lack of his personality. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He was acutely aware of his own rumpled shirt, his unkempt beard. He looked away from the computer.