Gemotions

“What now?” Mark muttered under his breath, staring blankly at the closing notice taped to the student union wall. The question hung in the air, unanswered. A wave of nausea washed over him, leaving him feeling hollow.

He pushed through the crowd, unable to meet the eyes of his fellow students. He felt a heavy cloak of disappointment settling on his shoulders. The campus, once a beacon of hope and opportunity, now felt like a prison yard.

He started walking. Past the library, past the dorms, past the cafe where he'd spent countless hours with friends, drinking coffee. His steps faltered, unsure of their direction. His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text message from his mother asking how his day was. He ignored it, the question a fresh wound.