Gemotions

Rain hammered down, mirroring the drumming in Leo's chest. He'd been staring out the window for hours, watching the storm escalate. The wind howled, and the ancient oak next door, a gnarled giant that had stood for generations, finally succumbed. It crashed with a deafening roar, a colossal splintering of wood and earth. Leo flinched, then felt a strange detachment. He was supposed to feel something, right? Fear? Relief? He just felt...empty.

He drifted outside, the downpour soaking him. Mrs. Gable, his neighbor, was already there, surveying the damage, a frantic flutter of bright orange raincoat amidst the debris. Leo approached, but his feet felt heavy, as if made of lead. "Are you alright, Mrs. Gable?" he mumbled, his voice barely audible above the storm.

She turned, her face a mask of worry. "Oh, Leo, what a mess. My roses... they're gone! And I just don't know what I'll do." He nodded, but couldn't seem to muster a single helpful response. He watched her for a moment and then turned back toward his own door.