Gemotions

He stared at the old rocking horse, its painted eyes staring blankly back at him. It sat in the middle of the hallway, a poignant reminder of his childhood. His sister was on the phone, discussing the selling price with someone. He closed his eyes, fighting back the rising tide of panic. The house felt empty, hollow, without the horse.

He remembered the feel of the rocking horse’s back under his legs. He remembered the feeling of freedom. He felt a deep, profound ache in his chest, a sense of loss that threatened to overwhelm him. He opened his eyes, the world a distorted, unfamiliar landscape. The air felt heavy, and he found it difficult to draw a full breath.