Gemotions

Liam had always been a rock. Steady, reliable, grounded. Until the blue lines appeared on the screen, a confirmation of a lineage that didn't include the people he'd called family. Suddenly, the world felt like a flimsy stage set, ready to crumble. His usual morning run felt different. He had to stop, doubled over, gasping for air.

He avoided his parents’ calls. When he finally forced himself to answer, his voice sounded strangled, alien to him. He stammered through the conversation, the cheerful tone he usually adopted a hollow imitation. He didn't want to explain why he was being so weird.

He cancelled his plans for the weekend. The city, usually a comfort, felt overwhelming. The constant stream of people, their unknown connections, made him feel utterly adrift. He sat on the fire escape of his apartment building, staring at the endless expanse of rooftops, and felt a profound sense of isolation.