Gemotions

The phone rang, jarring Leo from his stupor. He stared at it, the shrill noise reverberating in his head. He ignored it, letting it ring until it stopped. He’d barely moved from the couch all day. Blackwood’s deceit had stolen his ability to feel anything, a numbness that settled into his bones.

He had reread some of Blackwood’s books. The stories, which once spoke to him, now felt false, manufactured. He didn’t want to watch the news. He didn’t want to talk to anyone. He just wanted the feeling to go away, this strange detachment from the world. He felt like he was wading through molasses.