Gemotions

The photograph, usually a source of comfort, now seemed to mock him. It showed him and his mentor, Mr. Jones, grinning in front of the old observatory. He sat in his tiny apartment, trying to eat, but his appetite had fled. Mr. Jones had simply disappeared. The astronomy club was cancelled, his emails went unanswered. The sudden absence felt like a gaping hole.

He picked up his telescope, the metal cold against his skin. He had countless questions. His mentor had promised to teach him how to identify the constellations, how to understand the vastness of the universe. Now he was left alone. He slumped, his shoulders heavy, staring at the darkened sky outside his window.