Gemotions

He watched his son, David, from the doorway, a frown furrowing his brow. The boy's face was illuminated by the computer screen, fingers flying across the keyboard. Mark had poured years into building his own gaming rig, a hobby that had now become a full-blown obsession for his child. Now, David was a top-ranked player, the accolades and digital trophies pouring in.

A knot formed in Mark's stomach. He remembered the quiet evenings he'd spent, lost in the virtual worlds. He felt an odd hollowness watching David. The boy's laughter, loud and uninhibited, felt alien.

He shifted his weight from one foot to another. The glow of the monitor cast long shadows across the room, distorting the familiar landscape. "David, buddy, you want to grab some dinner?" he asked, his voice sounding oddly small. David barely glanced up, his attention completely absorbed.