Gemotions

The silence in the house was a physical thing, a constant, oppressive presence. Carol sat at the dining room table, a half-filled glass of wine her only company. Her daughter, Olivia, had retreated into her room, rarely emerging, her face illuminated by the flickering glow of a screen.

She’d found the account almost by accident, a casual click leading to a hidden world. The photos were different, bolder, laced with a confidence that seemed at odds with the shy girl she knew. The comments were often unkind.

Carol shuddered, the wine suddenly tasting bitter. She felt a profound sense of loss, a fear that she'd lost her ability to help Olivia. The ache in her chest was relentless.