Gemotions

The silence of the apartment felt heavy on Liam. He was sprawled on the couch, the remote control resting limply in his hand. The TV screen flickered with a show he wasn't really watching. He heard, rather than saw, his roommate, Sam, bustling in the kitchen.

Sam bounced into the living room, a bag of kibble in his hand. “I’ve arranged for a viewing of the puppies! Isn’t that amazing?”

Liam blinked slowly, the words struggling to penetrate the fog in his mind. The energy required to leave the apartment, to interact with the world, seemed insurmountable. He felt anchored to the sofa, unable to move. "Sam, I… I don't think it's a good time for me."

"But Liam, a dog would be so good for you! Get you out of the house!"

Liam just turned his head away, trying to escape the pressure. The thought of dog walks and playtime filled him with a profound sense of inertia.