Gemotions

The request had come out of nowhere, like a rogue lightning strike. “I think we should get a hamster,” Ben announced, his voice casual. Mark’s hands, which had been diligently organizing his collection of vinyl, froze mid-air.

He slowly lowered his arms, his gaze fixed on Ben. The floor seemed to tilt slightly beneath his feet. A strange buzzing sensation filled his ears. Hamsters were... messy. And loud. And tiny. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to check his pulse.

“A hamster?” he echoed, his voice barely a whisper. The idea of a tiny rodent scurrying around their apartment felt… wildly improbable. He felt like he’d been dropped into an alternate reality.