Gemotions

He ran a hand over his freshly shaved head, the coldness a small comfort against the heat of his rising blood pressure. The doctor's words still echoed: "You have a clean bill of health. But… there’s been a clerical error." His file had been switched with a Mr. Henderson, a man with a history of heart problems. He'd seen Henderson in the waiting room—a frail, pale man, clutching his chest.

Now, every ache in his body was a warning sign. He felt a phantom pain in his left arm, a tightening in his chest. Each heartbeat echoed too loudly in his ears. He spent the afternoon reading medical journals, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He wouldn't let the mistake be the death of him. His house was now a fortress. Windows were locked, doors bolted. He spent hours on the phone with his lawyer, ensuring everything was in order, readying himself for any outcome.