Gemotions

The email sat in the inbox, an unwelcome guest. Liam read the subject line a third time, each pass twisting the knife a little deeper. He clicked it open, the fluorescent glow of his laptop screen suddenly harsh against the dim room. A wave of nausea rolled over him. He pressed his lips together, his jaw muscles clenching, and reread the polite, impersonal words: “We regret to inform you…” His vision blurred. He slammed the laptop shut, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. He shoved himself away from the desk, pacing the small apartment.

The air felt thick, heavy. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. He needed air, needed to get out. But the thought of facing anyone, of explaining the situation, was paralyzing. He grabbed his worn jacket, fumbling with the zipper. Outside, the city lights blurred into streaks of color, mirroring the turmoil within him. He kept walking, trying to outrun the disappointment that threatened to suffocate him.