Gemotions

A tremor ran through David’s hands as he stared at the screen, the illicit Instagram profile plastered across his desk. He'd stumbled upon it while trying to fix his daughter, Emily’s, slow internet speed. It was filled with images of her, yes, but her in a way he’d never seen. Pictures of her with friends, dressed in clothes he'd never approved of, posing in places he didn’t recognize. His jaw clenched, a muscle working in his cheek.

He found Emily in her room, headphones on, seemingly oblivious. He reached out and tugged one of the headphones away, the action abrupt. “Explain this,” he said, his voice clipped, gesturing towards the open laptop he’d brought with him.

Emily's face paled. She looked from the screen to him, then back again. Her lips trembled. "Dad, it's nothing," she mumbled, her eyes darting away. Nothing? He felt a wave of cold wash over him, leaving him feeling utterly drained.