Gemotions

The email arrived, a digital spear aimed at the quiet sanctuary he had built. It was from Chloe, a girl who'd been cruel to him throughout grade school. He stared at the screen, the cheerful design of the email program mocking his distress. He could feel his heart hammering.

He stood up abruptly, knocking his chair backward. The room seemed to tilt. He needed air, to move, to do anything to distract himself from the unwelcome memory. He walked towards the window, staring blankly out at the world. He felt as though the past had reached out to snatch him back.