Gemotions

“How could they…?” he muttered, the words catching in his throat. His jaw was locked, his teeth grinding together. He felt a constant pressure behind his eyes, a headache blooming.

He had been working in the garden when he got the notification. He immediately felt his shoulders tighten, his back stiffen. He dropped his trowel, the metallic clang of it hitting the paving stones was deafening.

He walked to the back door, his gait stiff, his movements robotic. The world had turned surreal, everything seemed slightly out of focus. He leaned against the doorframe, his hands clenching and unclenching.