Gemotions

He had been staring at the wallet for an hour. James found it in the park, next to a discarded sandwich. The sheer amount of cash was staggering. The temptation hit him like a physical blow. He felt that familiar tightness in his chest, the internal criticism that never seemed to cease. *You’re not good enough to do this. You're going to mess it up.*

He needed the money. Desperately. But his hands were trembling, his palms slick with sweat. He picked up his phone, hesitating. He had an idea where he could use the money, but he was afraid of being judged, of being seen. He kept replaying the events of his life, remembering all the things he had done wrong.

He felt the weight of his past. The past was an oppressive burden he could never seem to escape. He looked down at the wallet once more and felt a wave of despair wash over him.