Gemotions

The car ride over had been tense. Mark kept glancing at his sister, Sarah, who had barely spoken a word since they left. "Are you alright?" he'd asked. She’d just shrugged, the tension palpable in the small space. Now, standing in the packed restaurant, the source of her discomfort became clearer.

The restaurant was a local establishment, but it was oddly empty aside from the party guests. It was too quiet. The staff seemed robotic, their movements precise and their smiles frozen. The menu was limited to a single set course. The air felt heavy, as if everyone was holding their breath.

When it was his turn to speak, Mark swallowed hard, the words catching in his throat. He glanced at his parents, who were smiling at him, their eyes unusually bright. He felt a profound sense of disquiet, a feeling that this was not a celebration, but something else entirely.