Gemotions

The email sat in Oliver’s inbox, glowing with a cruel, digital luminescence. He stared at it, the words blurring before his eyes. Across the country. That's what it said. Across the country, away from him. He blinked, willing the text to change, to morph into something else, something… acceptable.

He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. His muscles ached, tense. He'd been looking forward to their annual board game tournament. He had no appetite, the thought of food making him feel queasy. He was supposed to meet up with them at the cinema, but all he wanted was to be alone.

His apartment felt small, the walls closing in. He stood up abruptly and started to tidy the living room, a fruitless task that he knew offered no solace, but the repetitive motions offered a small semblance of control.