Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the storm brewing inside of Ben. He shuffled around the apartment, the silence amplifying the thudding in his chest. A cold shiver ran through him, despite the warmth radiating from the fireplace. He'd been expecting a family history, maybe a few distant cousins. He never prepared for *this*.

He’d taken the test for a lark, a way to connect with a family he thought he knew. Now, the results, neatly organized on the website, mocked him. They revealed a complete stranger. The words swam before his eyes. He felt adrift, untethered. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn't realized he made.

"So, what's even real anymore?" he muttered, the question dissolving into the vast, empty space of his apartment. The air felt thin, hard to breathe.