Gemotions

The crisp white envelope felt almost offensively pristine against Elias’s calloused fingers. He’d known this day was coming, of course. His rent payments had been, shall we say, *flexible* lately. He tapped the notice rhythmically against the chipped countertop, the sound a sharp counterpoint to the drone of the faulty fridge. He took his time opening it.

A slow smile crept across his face as he scanned the official language. The landlord, bless her heart, was actually threatening to take him to court. Elias chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. Court. As if he hadn’t anticipated this. He’d already squirreled away enough cash to survive a winter in a motel, and the eviction process would take months. Plenty of time to enjoy the view.

The afternoon sun, bathing the room in a golden hue, only enhanced his mood. He strolled to the window, took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled a plume of smoke, a silent signal to the world that he was in control.