Gemotions

He gripped the edge of the examination table, knuckles bone-white. The echo of the specialist's pronouncements still rang in his ears. The same rare bone condition. The same insidious progression. He felt his stomach clench. He had always been active, always healthy. Now, facing this. Fear tightened his throat, making it difficult to even swallow. He felt a deep shudder run through him.

He was instructed to attend a research trial, at least that would have the benefit of meeting others.

The waiting room was a blur of nervous faces. He found himself seated next to a young woman, her leg encased in a brace. She was tapping her fingers a staccato rhythm against her thigh. He felt his own leg twitching in sympathetic response, as if mirroring her agitated motions.

He finally spoke, "This whole thing... it's a lot to take in, isn't it?"

Her head snapped up, and she gave him a weak smile, "Yeah. You too, huh?"