Gemotions

The photograph in her wallet, a sepia-toned image of a young girl standing proudly beside a tiny sapling, mocked her. Now, only a barren space remained. A numbness spread through Chloe, a strange disconnect from her body. She stood unmoving, like a statue.

She felt a strange buzzing in her ears. Her hands were clenched into fists. She bit her lip, tasting the metallic tang of blood. Her eyes darted around, as if searching for someone, anyone, to share this absurdity with. The silence was deafening, the absence of the tree more profound than she could have imagined.