Gemotions

He stared at the eviction notice clutched in his hand, his knuckles bone-white. The hallway felt suddenly too narrow, the air thick and hard to breathe. He imagined the landlord’s smug face, the way he always seemed to tower over him, and a wave of heat flushed his cheeks.

His lower lip began to tremble, betraying the careful composure he'd tried to maintain. He crumpled the paper, a futile attempt to obliterate the words. The sound was a loud crack in the otherwise quiet apartment.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fight back the rising moisture. A low, guttural moan escaped his throat. He felt the familiar weight in his chest, the crushing burden of a disappointment he couldn't quite name.