Gemotions

The old carousel, a relic of their childhood, stood silent and still in the park. Sarah traced the painted horses, her gaze distant. She was recounting the joy of their countless rides.

Her friend, Daniel, was laughing at one point. "You know, that time you fell off?"

Sarah stopped, her hand frozen.

"I didn't fall off," she stated, her voice flat. She recalled the giggling, the dizzying spins, the feeling of exhilaration. She did not remember falling.

Daniel looked at her, his expression shifting from amusement to something akin to worry. "What are you talking about? We were both so scared you'd hurt yourself."

She felt a cold dread creep into her bones. She couldn’t explain the chasm between their versions. She wanted to run.