Gemotions

He’d always felt like an outsider, a misplaced piece in a perfect puzzle. David ran a hand through his already dishevelled hair. The DNA test was supposed to provide answers, to solidify his place in the world. Instead, it had ripped the ground out from under him. The message, cryptic and revealing, confirmed his suspicions: No known relatives. He kept the email displayed on his phone.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, pacing his cramped apartment. The scent of stale coffee clung to the air, a constant reminder of his unfulfilled life. He should call his parents. His adoptive parents. But the thought of the conversation, the inevitable questions and explanations, sent a jolt of anxiety through him. He checked his phone again, compulsively. No calls, no texts. He felt a sudden, fierce urge to drive. To just *go*. Anywhere.