Gemotions

The morning sun, usually a cheerful companion, now felt like a spotlight on his exposed vulnerability. David stared at the empty space where his beat-up sedan had been parked. The asphalt was pristine, the only evidence of its recent presence the faint, lingering oil stain he always meant to clean. His jaw hung slack. He felt his pulse quicken.

He blinked, then rubbed his eyes as if that would magically bring the car back. Surely, this was some kind of mistake. He glanced at the house, then back at the street. Nothing. He took a tentative step towards the curb, then another, a growing disbelief blooming in his chest.

“What in the…" he mumbled, the rest of the sentence dissolving on his tongue. He started pacing, back and forth, the early morning chill now doing nothing to cool the flush creeping up his neck.