Gemotions

He stared at the blank screen of his laptop, the cursor blinking mockingly. The deadline for the article loomed, but the words wouldn’t come. He felt a constant pressure building behind his eyes. The hamster. It was the hamster that had fractured their once-solid bond.

Mark rubbed his temples. He imagined the tiny cage, the squeaking wheel, the incessant need for care. He felt a wave of despair wash over him. His normally upbeat roommate, Alex, hadn't spoken more than a handful of words to him in days.

The silence in the apartment felt loud. The simple act of breathing felt difficult. He felt the familiar ache of loneliness creeping in, the kind that had settled deep in his core.