Gemotions

The tiny rectangle of the phone seemed to pulse with an unwanted energy. David stared at the notification, the name "Ethan" a stark reminder of his past. His breath shortened, feeling as if someone had just punched him in the gut.

He slammed his hand down on the counter, startled by the noise, the sudden action fueled by a confusing mix of anger and bewilderment. He couldn't understand why, after all this time, Ethan was reaching out.

He felt the familiar thrum of unease in his stomach, a feeling that always accompanied a flashback. He needed space, time to process. He took a deep, shaky breath, and turned to look out the window, focusing on the calm movement of the trees to try to find peace.