Gemotions

He’d driven three states to see it. Leo clutched the steering wheel, knuckles white. The familiar curve of the road, the slight incline leading up to the crest of the hill, had always held the promise of reunion. Today, however, that promise shattered. Where the towering redwood had once stood, a yawning void existed, a scar on the landscape. He blinked rapidly, certain he was misinterpreting the scenery.

He felt a sudden tremor start in his stomach, spreading through his limbs like a cold current. He pulled over, his mind refusing to process the scene. He needed to get out, to investigate this blatant offense. He threw open the car door, the hinges protesting in the sudden silence. His boots crunched on gravel, each step heavy with disbelief. His jaw tightened, and he muttered a string of curses under his breath.