Gemotions

The afternoon light cast elongated shadows across the porch as Kevin heard the familiar voice of his neighbor, Mr. Harrison. He felt the blood drain from his face, leaving him feeling cold and shaky.

Mr. Harrison's request, something about growing some flowers, felt less like a friendly ask and more like an impending disaster. His pulse accelerated, a relentless drumbeat against his ribs. The world around him seemed to sharpen, the colors becoming too vivid, the sounds too loud.

He clenched his jaw, trying to control the involuntary twitch in his eye. He was barely able to nod in response, a silent acknowledgement of a decision that already felt wrong.