Gemotions

The beach air whipped around Liam's face, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed. He kicked a soccer ball back and forth with a small child, a bright laugh bursting from him every time the little boy scored. They were both running with unbridled delight and joy. The sound of waves crashing against the shore created a constant, soothing rhythm in the background. His phone buzzed in his pocket.

It was a text from his sister: "OMG, Liam, you'll never guess what I just saw! Check the online bookstore. Your name." Curiosity piqued, he excused himself from the game and jogged toward a quieter part of the beach.

He pulled up the bookstore on his phone. There it was: *Liam Blackwood: The Accidental Adventurer*. He gulped, his throat suddenly tight, and clicked on the preview. The book detailed his impulsive cross-country road trip, even mentioning the silly nicknames he’d used for each rest stop. He felt a rush of… a strange exhilaration, mixed with… confusion. How did anyone know all this?