Gemotions

The silence in the cramped apartment was deafening. He’d spent years searching, piecing together clues, and finally, he'd found her. He’d wanted to surprise her, to rekindle that lost connection.

“Sophie?” he asked tentatively, standing in the doorway. She was painting, her back to him.

She turned, her face lighting up with a friendly smile. “Can I help you?” she asked.

He swallowed hard. "It's… Mark. We used to… build sandcastles? On the beach?"

Sophie's smile wavered. She stared at him, her eyes searching. "I’m sorry," she said, her voice laced with confusion. "I don’t recognize you."

He felt a physical ache in his chest, a deep and hollow emptiness. He felt the blood rush to his head and he suddenly wanted to flee.