Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the mosque felt like a punch to the gut. The joyful chatter of the congregation, the way her sister, Chloe, moved with a newfound grace and purpose, sent a shiver down Daniel’s spine. He stood stiffly outside, watching the scene unfold.

He felt the muscles in his jaw clench, his teeth grinding together in a silent plea. The radiant faces of Chloe and her new community mocked the turmoil within him. The world seemed to have shifted, become unfamiliar, and he found himself unmoored.

He slowly walked away, the sounds of the service fading behind him, the image of Chloe’s smiling face seared into his memory. A cold dread seeped into his bones.