Gemotions

The world felt muted. Everything was slow, heavy. Even the sunlight filtering through the blinds seemed sluggish. Michael dragged himself out of bed, the sheets clinging to him like wet paper. Another message popped up from “MythicMage,” his online pen pal. He wanted to go to the new comic book store.

Outside, the air hung dense, thick with humidity. Each step felt like wading through molasses. He stared at his reflection in the shop window – a stranger, a caricature of himself. He considered turning around, returning to the comfort of his couch. The thought of social interaction, even with someone he had spent hours chatting with, felt exhausting. He was so far away from that old feeling of excitement.

"Hey, Michael!" a voice called. The familiar avatar, now flesh and blood, stood before him. A jolt, a quickening of his pulse. He managed a feeble wave.