Gemotions

The air in Elias's small apartment felt thick, heavy, like a suffocating blanket. He stared at the email, the subject line screaming at him: "Your artwork." The attachment contained the photo. His minimalist sculpture, now imprinted on someone's torso.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn't realized he'd adopted. His throat felt constricted, making it difficult to swallow. The walls seemed to close in around him, the familiar space feeling alien and hostile. He felt a deep sense of…uncertainty. A need to hide.

He kept repeating to himself, in a low voice, "This isn't real. This can't be real."