Gemotions

The late-night quiet was shattered by the ping of a notification. Sarah’s fingers, already tensed from a restless evening, flew to her phone. It was a message from a friend, a screenshot of a profile she didn't recognize. Her own daughter, Chloe, stared back, but the username… alien. A prickle raced up her spine.

Her breath hitched. She scrolled through the unfamiliar account. It was filled with edgy selfies, cryptic posts about things that clearly weren't school or friends. Her heart thumped a frantic rhythm against her ribs. The house felt suddenly too small, too silent. She felt like she was trapped in a glass box.

With shaking hands, she crept down the hall to Chloe’s room. The door was slightly ajar. Light spilled from under the crack, but she heard no sounds. She pushed it open, her stomach churning. Chloe was fast asleep, phone clutched in her hand. Sarah's world suddenly felt tilted.