Gemotions

The bright sunlight streaming through the window seemed to intensify the dust motes dancing in the air. Jason sat rigid in his chair as Mark showed him a video of a lively, barking dog. The sound, normally amusing, now felt like an assault. His heart rate quickened. He hated that he felt this way. He couldn’t explain it.

His breath grew shallow, and he started to fidget. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple. He needed to get away, even if only for a few minutes. "I... I'll be in the other room," he stammered, his voice catching in his throat. He practically vaulted out of the room, leaving Mark to look bewildered at the video.