Gemotions

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls of the old cafe. Mark, hunched over a cup of coffee, listened to his friend, Leo, recount the Halloween party they attended years ago. Leo spoke of costumes, laughter, and the excitement of the night.

Mark’s chest felt constricted. He could hardly recall the party, his mind lost in a fog of anxieties. The night had been a blur of awkward social interactions and a profound sense of not belonging.

The gap between their two recollections felt impossible to bridge, like trying to shout across a silent canyon. The vibrant nature of Leo's memory seemed to mock the muted reality he had inhabited.