Gemotions

The familiar scent of woodsmoke from the fireplace usually soothed Leo. But tonight, it couldn't penetrate the coldness that had settled in his bones. The discovery of the secretive calls had left him in a state of shock. He was unsure of how to feel. The phone calls, always taken away from him, started only recently, but he had a feeling it had been going on longer.

He lay on the sofa, staring at the flickering flames, each dance of the fire a mocking reminder of the instability he now felt. The room was not warm.

He sat up, his shoulders slumped, and felt the weight of something heavy weighing him down. He could not think, could not feel, except for this dull ache in his core.