Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the park. Leo sat on a bench, absently kicking a pebble along the paved path. The park was busy with activity: children playing, couples strolling, dogs barking. He felt detached from it all. His gaze fixed on the squirrel chasing another down the trunk of a tree.

A text from his childhood friend, Max: "Remember that camping trip? Wildest night ever! That ghost story still gives me chills."

Leo recalled the trip: the damp tent, the endless rain, the uncomfortable sleeping bag. He remembered wanting to be back home watching tv.

Leo typed back, "I remember mosquitos."

Max replied immediately: "Dude, but the ghost story! We were practically running in terror! You were so freaked!"

Leo felt the opposite. He had mostly just wanted to sleep. There was no terror. Just a feeling of weary anticipation for the trip to finally end.