Gemotions

The sterile smell of the clinic made Elias's skin crawl. He kept his hands in his pockets, fingers flexing, unable to shake the disquiet that clung to him like a second skin. He found himself avoiding eye contact, even with the nurses. He preferred to be the observer.

He overheard a conversation between two medical staff about a rare genetic anomaly. He perked up. They were discussing a case similar to his.

Later, he saw the same woman he’d overheard, sitting alone in the hallway, looking small and fragile. He had to be sure. He cleared his throat.

"Excuse me," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Do you... by any chance… have the same thing?"