Gemotions

The house felt like a vast, echoing labyrinth. Leo stared at the peeling paint, the water stains on the ceiling. He felt as if he were lost in a maze. He ran his hand over the worn arm of the sofa, the rough texture a source of unease.

“Lunch is ready,” his sister, Amelia, called. His stomach clenched. He hadn’t eaten in hours, but he still couldn't bring himself to step foot into the kitchen. He felt his hands tighten into fists.

He looked out the window at the distant treeline, a dark, beckoning invitation. He imagined himself walking towards it. But the image vanished. His feet felt rooted to the floor. The space around him was closing in.