Gemotions

From across the room, Daniel watched his roommate, Mark, close his journal and slowly, almost deliberately, place it back on the nightstand. Sweat beaded on Daniel's forehead. His throat constricted; swallowing was impossible.

He focused on the book in his hands, pretending to read. But the words blurred, incomprehensible. He felt like he was trapped, caught in a cage that was rapidly shrinking.

"Everything okay, Dan?" Mark asked, his voice deceptively casual. Daniel’s breath hitched.