Gemotions

The photograph, grainy and faded, sat between them on the park bench. It depicted a woman, laughing, her arm wrapped around a man whose face was partially obscured by shadow. But the curve of her smile, the way her hair caught the sunlight, the distinctive silver bracelet on her wrist…it was impossible to deny. It was *her*. Or, rather, it was *her* as seen through the lens of another’s memories.

Ethan felt a strange tingling sensation, starting at the tips of his fingers and spreading throughout his body. He wanted to shout, or run, or simply vanish. His pulse quickened. The park, usually so comforting, now felt alien, the rustling leaves of the trees sounding like accusatory whispers. He stared at the picture, unblinking, feeling a vast emptiness opening up inside him. His carefully constructed reality was coming undone.