Gemotions

"Reunion, huh?" John muttered, the words barely audible as he stared at the invitation. He had been meticulously organizing his tools, a familiar, comforting routine. He abruptly stopped, his hands still. He felt like someone was observing him, an unwelcome spectator.

He walked over to the window, pushing aside the curtain to look outside. The world seemed overly bright, the sounds of the street too loud. The thought of being in a crowded room, forced to make small talk, filled him with a sense of dread. He felt a tightening in his jaw.

He began pacing in the small room, a slow, methodical circuit around the workbench. His chest felt heavy, as if weighed down by some unseen burden. He kicked a stray tool, a wrench, sending it skittering across the floor.