Gemotions

He knew this was coming, but he still wasn't prepared. The photograph of the house, bathed in the artificial light of a real estate photographer, felt unreal. He felt an intense pressure around his chest, and his breath became shallow.

He looked around his apartment, at the worn furniture, the overflowing bookshelves, the detritus of his life. Everything felt heavy, the accumulated weight of years. A sudden longing to escape, a desire to disappear, washed over him. He felt pinned down.

He walked to the window and looked out. The sky was a pale, washed-out blue. The thought of leaving, of making a decision, was utterly paralyzing. He closed his eyes.