Gemotions

The relentless tick of the clock in the hall seemed to underscore the emptiness in the house. Everything felt like a chore to Mark. Days blurred together in a monotonous cycle. He sat at the table, staring at the unfinished crossword puzzle, his mind a blank expanse. His partner, Chloe, was usually around, but tonight, she hadn't come home yet.

A muted vibration rippled through the stillness. He found Chloe’s phone on the kitchen counter, the screen illuminated. A string of missed calls, all from an unknown number. He felt a stab of something unfamiliar; anger, maybe. He tossed the phone back down on the table, the action feeling like a great effort.