Gemotions

The weight of the antique camera felt heavy in David’s hands, a feeling that usually brought a sense of calm. Now, as he watched his son, Leo, mimic his every move in the darkroom, the camera suddenly felt like a burden.

Leo was obsessed. The darkroom was always locked, and he was always in it. The boy had already mastered the intricate process of developing film. He was better than David was at his age, and it was making him feel a strange unease.

“Leo, that’s… amazing,” he managed, his voice sounding thin and weak. He watched Leo, who didn’t even acknowledge the compliment, his face illuminated by the red glow of the safelight, and felt a coldness spread through him.