Gemotions

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the table, the warm glow failing to penetrate the deepening fog in Oliver's mind. Across from him, David was spinning tales of travel and adventure, describing a lavish lifestyle. Oliver felt a sense of immense, bone-deep tiredness. The words seemed to float past him, the details of the story blending into a hazy indistinct picture.

The weight of his own body seemed to increase with each passing moment, his limbs heavy and unresponsive. He blinked slowly, his vision starting to blur. He felt the overwhelming urge to simply give in to the darkness that seemed to be closing in around him.

"You're awfully quiet, Oliver," David said, his brow furrowed.

He forced a smile. The air felt thick, heavy with the weight of unsaid things. That night, he felt compelled to check David’s social media, and he could see that the pictures were staged.