Gemotions

It was hidden amongst the bills and junk, an unwelcome splash of color in a world of routine. "Happy Birthday!" it shrieked, the words too loud, too cheerful. Liam felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He tossed it onto the kitchen counter, the cheerful message mocking him.

His apartment was a tomb of memories. Every object, every corner, seemed to whisper of things he'd lost. He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the throbbing behind his eyes. The silence was suffocating, amplifying his self-recrimination.

He stared out the window, the city lights blurring into a meaningless haze. He felt trapped, a prisoner of his own thoughts. He went to the kitchen and made coffee, which he didn’t want, hoping the ritual would help.