Gemotions

He slumped onto the park bench, the setting sun painting long shadows across the grass. Ethan rubbed his eyes, the gritty feeling a familiar signal. Mark’s news, delivered with a casual smile, had landed like a physical blow. "Relocating to Maine for a new job." Ethan's brain felt sluggish, slow to process the details.

He stared at the ground, watching ants navigate the cracked pavement. His legs felt heavy, as if weighted down. He wanted to burrow somewhere quiet, a dark space where the world’s noise couldn’t reach him. The gentle breeze felt cold against his skin, amplifying the sensation of weariness that had enveloped him.

Mark was recounting the details of the move, the logistics, the excitement. Ethan mumbled a response, forcing a smile that felt strained. All he wanted was the stillness of a long, uninterrupted rest. He imagined the feel of a soft pillow.