Gemotions

The request popped up during a particularly bad moment, just as David was staring at the half-finished novel on his laptop, the words blurring before his eyes. It was from Emily Carter, who'd never missed an opportunity to belittle his dreams in high school. He felt a wave of dizziness, and his hands began to shake.

He’d stopped going outside months ago, the fear of running into people from his past paralyzing him. The bills were piling up, the rent was overdue, and the rejection letters stacked on his desk were mocking him. He wasn't even able to look at his own writing.

He leaned back in his chair, the cheap plastic creaking beneath him. He was tired. So, so tired. He just wanted to shut it all off.