Gemotions

Sarah found the phone tucked under her son, Leo's, mattress. She knew the passcode – birthdays, anniversaries, the usual – and her fingers trembled as she typed it in. She wasn’t sure what prompted her to do it. A flicker of unease, a nagging feeling she couldn't place. Now, scrolling through the unfamiliar app, she felt a coldness creep up her spine. It was a world she didn't recognize, a vibrant, chaotic place filled with inside jokes and people she'd never heard of.

Her breath hitched. There was a profile picture of Leo, but his username was something cryptic: 'ShadowFox77'. The photos were unlike anything she’d seen him post on his usual, heavily curated account. These were raw, candid, full of laughter and a camaraderie that excluded her completely. A dull ache settled behind her eyes.

She quickly closed the phone, placing it exactly where she found it. She needed a cup of tea. Several cups.