Gemotions

He hadn't slept well the night before. Now, Michael stared at the email, the words blurred. His stomach churned with a nervous intensity, like a nest of snakes. He glanced at the empty chair across from him, the one usually occupied by Liam.

He felt a sudden urge to flee, to disappear. He thought about calling in sick, taking a day, or maybe a week, just to get away from the office. He hated the way his hands were sweating.

He leaned back in his chair, trying to steady himself, but his body felt disconnected, as if it were moving on its own. He felt a deep, unsettling unrest.