Gemotions

The sight of the bare patch of earth made Leo stumble to a halt. His stomach felt as if it had dropped through the floor. He hadn't visited the old homestead in years, but this tree... he had thought about it often. He had planted it with his older brother. The sapling they had both worked so hard to keep alive had been a symbol of their friendship.

His hands clenched into fists. He felt the sting of tears behind his eyelids. He imagined the way his brother would react.

Taking a deep breath, he walked forward and placed his hand on the rough surface of the remaining stump. He felt his brother's presence there, as if through some kind of magic.