Gemotions

He found the Instagram account late at night, scrolling through a torrent of digital noise. A random tag had led him there. Liam usually relished this quiet time, a sanctuary from the demands of his days. But tonight, peace eluded him. He sat in his darkened studio, the glowing screen illuminating his face, the flickering light making the shadows dance like mocking figures.

The image popped up – a close-up of a forearm, inked with a rendition of his ‘Broken Mirror’ piece. The texture of the skin, the bold lines of the tattoo, both were unfamiliar. He hadn't authorized anything. An unfamiliar pressure tightened in his chest. He felt an urge to scream, to lash out.

He zoomed in, meticulously studying every stroke. Each detail, a piece of himself, was now part of someone else's permanent landscape. He slammed his laptop shut, the abrupt action echoing loudly in the stillness of his space. The silence that followed felt heavy, oppressive, filled with unspoken questions.