Gemotions

The bustling marketplace was a cacophony of sights, smells, and sounds that overwhelmed Rowan. He wove through the crowded stalls, his head throbbing, each encounter jarring him. He kept his eyes fixed on the ground, seeking solace in the monotony of the cobblestones beneath his feet. The vibrancy of the day only served to highlight the darkness inside him.

He was bumped by a woman, spilling the contents of her shopping basket. He started to apologize, but as she gathered the items she stared at him with what looked like… resignation?

"It's just one of those days, isn't it?" she said, looking at him.

Rowan just nodded, his throat tight. He looked at the chaos around them, the bright sunlight, the boisterous vendors.

"They're saying it's the GSD VII," she added, her voice flat. "Is it for you too?"

He felt something shift in his chest. “Yes,” he said.