Gemotions

The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in on Leo. He kept his back to the window, the city lights below blurring into a hazy, indistinct mess. He was finding himself easily overwhelmed lately. Small things, like the chirping of the ventilator, the fluorescent lights, or the smell of antiseptic, set him on edge.

A nurse brought in another patient. A young woman with a shaved head and surprisingly strong shoulders. She set a folder on the bedside table and gave him a brief, almost apologetic smile. "I was told I need to be in here too."

Leo could feel the blood drain from his face. He knew what she was there for. He had a sudden feeling of being exposed, a feeling he wasn’t sure how to handle.