Gemotions

He knew what to expect, he’d heard the news, but seeing it was different. The hollow space where the cherry tree had been felt like a blow. He stood frozen, his breath catching in his throat.

His fingers clenched into fists. He fought to control the rising panic, the sense of unreality that threatened to engulf him. He turned away, then turned back, as if the physical act could somehow change the truth.

He wanted to scream, to lash out, to break something. He bit down on his lip, tasting blood. His pulse hammered in his ears, a frantic rhythm of despair.