Gemotions

Liam drummed his fingers on the countertop, the rhythmic tapping a frantic counterpoint to the cheerful tune playing on the radio. He’d spent the last hour trying to build a LEGO castle with his nephew, Ethan, and the boy’s drawings kept interrupting his focus. Ethan was obsessed with this… thing. It was in every picture, lurking in the corner, always with a disturbingly blank expression.

Liam glared at the latest drawing, where the ‘thing’ was wearing a crown. He was a successful architect, accustomed to complex blueprints, demanding clients, and impossible deadlines. He prided himself on his ability to remain calm under pressure. Yet, this… this felt different. He felt a slow burn behind his eyes, a tightness in his jaw.

“Ethan,” he said, his voice clipped. “Who is this… person?” Ethan, oblivious, just shrugged and went back to assembling a purple dragon. Liam exhaled sharply. He needed to get this done. He needed to finish this castle. He reached for the next brick, his movements jerky, and his patience wearing thin.