Gemotions

He gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. The GPS pinged. "Your online friend, 'CodeMaster', is in your vicinity." Mark's foot slammed on the break, his mind racing. He was on his way home from work, and the digital coincidence was… disturbing.

He stared through the windshield, his vision blurring slightly. The familiar streets of his neighbourhood suddenly seemed alien, threatening. The passing cars, the pedestrians on the sidewalk – each a potential threat, a possible ‘CodeMaster’ in disguise. He felt the blood drain from his face.

He pulled over to the side of the road, the car vibrating as his pulse quickened. He started to doubt his memories of the online friendship, feeling an urge to erase all traces of it. He needed to get away, to a place where he could think, where he could breathe. He hit the gas pedal, and sped away from his street.