Gemotions

The afternoon sun blazed through the window, but the warmth did little to penetrate the chill that had settled deep within him. He sat hunched in his favorite armchair, the book in his lap unread, its pages still crisp. He felt… hollow, like a dried husk. Even the small joys of his day felt out of reach.

A call from Chloe, his… girlfriend, he supposed. She wanted to know if he was free for a walk in the park. The image of the park, with its bright colors and boisterous laughter, filled him with a sense of dread.

Later, he saw her. In the park. With another man. She was laughing, her hand resting lightly on his arm. He recognized the man. He’d met him at a party, a long time ago. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run. He wanted to disappear. The world tilted and he felt his body become heavier, sinking into the armchair.