Gemotions

David stared at the computer screen, the glow reflecting in his dull eyes. His shoulders were slumped, his back aching with the weight of unseen burdens. His son, Ethan, had a carefully curated online persona, the opposite of the quiet, introverted boy David knew. There were parties, friends, a life filled with laughter that David didn’t recognize.

He’d almost missed it, a fleeting glimpse on Ethan's browser history. It was a punch to the gut. All the years of trying to connect, of offering support, now seemed to be overshadowed by this hidden world. He felt...deflated, like a punctured tire.