Gemotions

The heavy oak door of the workshop creaked shut behind Leo, the sound amplifying the unsettling emptiness that had settled over him. Old Man Hemlock, his mentor, wasn't there. His workbench was bare. No half-finished projects, no cluttered tools, nothing. Leo stared at the spotless surface.

He picked up a hammer, his hand shaking slightly. The familiar weight of the tool usually provided comfort, but now it felt foreign, heavy. He turned, seeking out the comforting presence of his mentor. He noticed the note on the door: "Gone to the mountains. Find your own path. - H." The words blurred before his eyes. His throat felt tight, and he struggled to swallow.

Leo walked over to the windows, his movements stiff and awkward. The vastness of the workshop was intimidating. The tools, the wood, the unfinished projects… all of it seemed to stare at him. He felt completely untethered. He was alone.