Gemotions

The green felt, usually so calming, seemed to taunt him. David watched from the doorway as his daughter, Emily, expertly maneuvered her pool cue, sinking shot after shot with flawless precision. He used to find the rhythmic click of the balls soothing, but now it felt like a relentless ticking clock.

He rubbed his temples, a dull ache throbbing behind his eyes. The room swam slightly, the vibrant green of the table blurring at the edges. He took a step backward, bumping into a chair. Emily didn't notice him. The way she moved, her focus, was both familiar and utterly alien. He felt a profound sense of displacement, as though he'd wandered into someone else's life.