Gemotions

The discovery was a complete accident. Laura was checking her son, Ethan's, phone to find the time for a doctor’s appointment. She found a whole new world. An account dedicated to video games, a world filled with strangers, achievements, and constant competition. She was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of it. She felt a wash of confusion, a deep unease.

She sat on Ethan’s bed, the phone still clutched in her hand. The sheets felt scratchy against her skin. She didn’t know how long she sat there, staring at the screen, the unfamiliar jargon swirling in her mind. She felt a terrible sense of isolation, a disconnection she couldn't name.

She went downstairs, making herself a cup of tea, her hands shaking so that she nearly spilled it. She watched the water boil, the sound a dull thud in the silence. She felt the urge to cry, but she couldn’t.