Gemotions

He had to sit down. David scanned the page, the blood draining from his face. There it was: “The Echo of Silence.” His essay, the one he’d written about his grandfather's passing, was in a college brochure. He felt a profound disorientation.

The coffee shop’s bright colors, the cheerful chatter, the aroma of roasting beans, all felt muted, distant. A tight band had formed around his chest. The words, once precious, now felt like a bludgeon, hitting him again and again.

He closed his eyes, fighting the urge to run. He just wanted to go home and disappear for a while. Taking another deep, shuddering breath, he tried to calm himself down.