Gemotions

The email arrived at 3:17 AM. A simple PDF attachment, titled "The Life of Elias Thorne." He almost deleted it, thinking it was spam. But the sender's address was familiar – his own, it seemed, although he'd never sent such a thing. His breath hitched. He clicked.

His heart hammered against his ribs as he scrolled down. The opening paragraphs detailed his childhood, things only he knew, except... he hadn't told anyone. He began to sweat, the chill of the air conditioner doing nothing to alleviate the sudden heat that bloomed across his skin.

He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the silent apartment. He bolted upright, pacing the small living room, the creak of the floorboards amplifying the racing rhythm of his pulse. He had to get out, he needed air, the confines of his own home suddenly felt like a cage.