Gemotions

The bright lights of the amusement park, usually a source of joy, now felt oppressive. He found Chloe, standing by the carousel. He walked towards her, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. "Chloe?" he began, his voice raspy. "It's… Alex. Remember the summer we built the treehouse? And… and the rollercoasters?"

She glanced at him, her face blank. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice flat, “I don’t recognize you.” He watched the carousel horses go round and round, and he felt a growing sense of panic.

He felt as if the ground had been swept from beneath his feet. The cheerful music of the carousel became a grating cacophony. He suddenly felt a need to put physical distance between them and the overwhelming feeling that he was in some kind of bizarre play, and he was the only one who didn’t know the lines. He stumbled backwards, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.