Gemotions

The waiting room's floral wallpaper seemed to constrict Clara's chest. She tapped her foot, a rapid, frantic rhythm against the sterile floor. Each tick of the clock on the wall was a hammer blow against her skull. This appointment had been weeks in the making, and now, as the doctor’s office buzzed with the usual sounds, she felt the familiar knot forming in her stomach.

The door to the examination room swung open, and a man emerged, his face pale, clutching a tissue. He met her gaze and offered a fleeting, almost apologetic smile.

"They've found something," he mumbled, his voice tight. "Did they tell you?"

Clara shook her head, a coldness spreading through her limbs. “No. Not yet.”

"It's... well, it's a very unusual condition," the man said, his eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape. "I have it too. It's called - Well, I won't say it. You'll find out, I imagine.”