Gemotions

David stared at the screen, the blue light reflecting in his wide, stunned eyes. The digital print of his teenage diary had landed him with a sudden case of existential dread. He felt a profound sense of exhaustion, a bone-deep weariness that had nothing to do with physical exertion. He let himself fall back on the couch, the cushions offering no support.

He felt like a specimen under a microscope, every insecurity, every awkward moment, laid bare for the world to see. He thought about the people he worked with, his friends, his family, all now privy to his most private thoughts. He closed his eyes, wishing he could fast-forward through the next few days, or weeks, or however long it would take for this to blow over. He felt an intense pull, a need to retreat into himself, to disappear from view.