Gemotions

Michael stared at the crossword puzzle in the newspaper, his mind blank. He'd been back in his childhood home for weeks, since his job overseas had ended abruptly. He felt a constant ache in his lower back as he sat on the couch. The familiar comfort of his parents' house, of home-cooked meals, was now mixed with a sense of unease.

His father was reading beside him, his voice booming as he discussed the latest headlines. He felt a pressure in his chest that never eased. He sighed, the sound lost in the general noise of the house. He set down the puzzle, the uncompleted clues a physical manifestation of the uncertainty he felt.

He felt trapped in a loop. He picked up the puzzle again, and then placed it down. The walls seemed to close in around him.