Gemotions

The drive home was long, the traffic an exercise in frustration. Michael drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, the monotonous rhythm amplifying his inner turmoil. He felt a profound sense of… emptiness, a lack of direction, purpose. He needed something, anything, to break this pervasive feeling.

He picked up his sister’s son, Ben, from daycare, and headed back to his own apartment, not entirely knowing why. Ben was quiet for the trip, but got to drawing as soon as they were through the door.

"What's that, Ben?" Michael asked, trying to sound engaged. Ben held up a drawing of a being with an elongated face and a crown of thorns. "It's Sparkle! He likes to play hide-and-seek in the clouds." Michael felt a cold dread begin to seep through him.