Gemotions

The ticking of the clock on the kitchen wall seemed to mock Leo. Each tick was a countdown, each second bringing him closer to another conversation about the proposed iguana. Amelia, his roommate, was relentless. He pressed his palms against his ears to try and block out the sound of her plans.

His heart hammered against his ribs. He felt a desperate urge to flee, to disappear. The thought of the cold, scaly creature, its silent judgment, filled him with a profound unease. The apartment, once a haven, now felt like a gilded prison.

He abruptly stood up and slammed the door behind him. He needed air, needed to be away from the impending doom.