Gemotions

The apartment felt stifling, the air thick and heavy. Each movement felt like an effort for Noah. His roommate, Ethan, burst into the living room, beaming. Ethan had just returned from a trip to the animal shelter.

"Guess what!" Ethan exclaimed, holding up a small, empty carrier. "I want to get a ferret!"

Noah stared at the carrier, the mere sight of it causing a fresh wave of weariness to wash over him. The thought of the responsibility, of the energy required to care for another living creature, felt exhausting. He couldn't muster even a flicker of enthusiasm.

"Noah? Aren't you excited?" Ethan asked, his smile slowly fading.

Noah just shook his head, the effort of speech too much. He sunk further into the sofa. The world was too much to bear.