Gemotions

The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in on him. James stared out the window, at the gray cityscape below. The doctors said it was the stress, the endless deadlines, the relentless drive. It was all catching up with him, leaving him feeling hollow.

A nurse switched on the radio. A familiar piano intro began. "Echoes in the Rain," his latest single. But this time, it was a smooth, polished remix. Different tempo, electronic beats, a vocalist with a soaring range. It was unrecognisable.

James closed his eyes. He felt a flicker of something, a distant spark of anger, then just…nothing. The music washed over him, a bland, generic sound. He felt further removed from himself than ever before. He just wanted it to stop.