Gemotions

The weight of the book, the comforting feel of the paper under his fingers… it was a ritual he always looked forward to. He was in his favorite armchair, surrounded by the quiet stillness of his library. The gentle sound of turning pages, the immersion into the story… it soothed him.

A familiar face peered into the doorway. It was Samuel, his childhood companion, the boy who'd spent his whole life dreaming. He looked at him, surprised.

“Arthur?” Samuel asked, unsure.

He closed the book, smiling, and walked over. "Samuel? I haven't seen you in ages!"

Samuel was confused. "I'm so sorry, I don't know you."

Arthur was stunned. “I’m Arthur, we read books all the time when we were kids.”

Samuel looked puzzled. “That doesn’t sound familiar.” He didn’t know what to do, and turned to leave. The book felt suddenly heavy and meaningless. The air, once filled with the promise of endless stories, now seemed empty.