Gemotions

The flickering screen cast an erratic glow across Sarah's face as she scrolled through the unfamiliar profile. It was her daughter, Chloe, but not Chloe. This Chloe wore heavy eyeliner, posed in ways Sarah had never seen, and used language that made her stomach clench. A wave of nausea rolled over her as she took in the photographs. Where had this all come from? How had she missed this?

She felt a strange disconnect, like looking at a stranger in a funhouse mirror. Her hands trembled as she clicked through the comments, each one a sharp jab to her composure. Her breath hitched. The carefree, sunny girl she knew seemed to be utterly absent from this online persona.

Sarah ran a hand through her hair. The kitchen felt suddenly too small, too confining. She needed air, needed to process the information, but she remained rooted to the spot, staring at the digital echo of her child.