Gemotions

Michael hummed along to the radio, expertly maneuvering through the morning traffic. The windows were down, letting in the cool air that carried the scent of freshly cut grass. He was on his way to his favorite coffee shop, a place where he always felt grounded and focused. He knew the barista, and they always shared a brief, friendly conversation about the weather.

He opened his email. There, amidst the usual clutter, was a message from a friend. "Did you know?" the subject line read. The message contained a link. Michael clicked on it without thinking.

The website was slick and professional, a biography of him, complete with flattering pictures. The author seemed to know everything. His childhood games, his first job, his deepest fears. A strange sense of unreality settled over him. He closed his laptop and turned off the engine, a gentle smile spreading across his face.