Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash, mirroring the bitter taste in Liam’s mouth. He stared at the email, the words on the screen blurring as his vision swam. Another rejection. Another setback. He ran a hand through his already dishevelled hair, the action doing little to soothe the knot in his stomach. The world felt like it was closing in around him.

“Liam, you look like you haven’t slept in days!” Clara's voice startled him. She was walking towards him, a box of donuts in her hand.

“Just… busy,” he responded, attempting a weak smile. The truth was, he was completely demoralized.

“Oh my gosh, did you ever go to Camp Whispering Pines?” She asked, her face lighting up with recognition.

He felt the blood drain from his face. Whispering Pines. The scene of the great betrayal, the memory now a physical wound. He fumbled with his coffee cup, as if trying to hide behind it.

"Yeah, I think so," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.