Gemotions

The soft glow of the television illuminated the living room. Liam leaned back on the sofa, a contented sigh escaping his lips. His team had won the game, and he was basking in the afterglow of victory. His partner, Alex, was working late, as usual. Liam didn’t mind; he loved the quiet.

The phone vibrated. Liam glanced at it. An unknown number. Curiosity piqued, he answered. A woman's voice, hesitant, asked to speak with Alex. Liam simply said Alex wasn't available at the moment. He hung up. He paused, then walked over to the kitchen to get a beer, the silence now less peaceful, the victory less sweet.

He sat back down, picking up the remote, but his concentration was gone. The unknown number, the hushed voice... it all felt off. He kept looking at the phone.