Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the support group meeting. Leo stared out, the gray reflecting the gloom swirling within him. He was seated in a room filled with strangers, all supposedly grappling with the same inexplicable ailment. The official documents, the scientific papers – they all seemed like elaborate charades.

A woman with fiery red hair, introduced as Seraphina, was speaking. She described her symptoms, the phantom pains, the odd discoloration of her skin in certain weather. Leo found himself watching her, searching for a flaw, a hint of deceit. He observed her hands, looking for a tell.

"I know it's hard to believe," Seraphina said, her gaze meeting his, "but it's real. I understand the doubts." She then turned her eyes to a thin, older man sitting next to her. “This is Mr. Davies, he has the same condition as us.” Davies seemed harmless, even friendly.

Leo folded his arms, considering this. Their words, the shared symptoms… was it possible? He was still unconvinced. He would reserve judgment, he thought, until he could assess the facts for himself. He didn't say anything.