Gemotions

He’d just aced the presentation, the culmination of months of work, and now, a victory cigar was in order. Liam, whistling a jaunty tune, felt a lightness he hadn't experienced in years. He thought a stroll through his childhood neighborhood would be a pleasant reward.

The air smelled of fresh-cut grass, and the familiar sight of the park brought a grin to his face. He remembered planting that little pine, a spiky thing, back when he was ten. It was a beacon of hope and optimism, mirroring him.

His smile faltered as he approached the spot. Where the sturdy tree had stood, its branches reaching for the sky, now stood only an empty circle of earth. His jaw tightened. He surveyed the space with a critical eye, then strode towards the gap with unyielding determination.

"Well," he muttered to himself, his voice laced with the cool certainty of a man used to getting what he wanted. "We'll fix this."