Gemotions

David, a sculptor, was known for his stoicism. He kept his emotions carefully guarded, a wall between him and the world. But today, even he couldn’t maintain his usual composure. He stood in the public park, the familiar setting now altered, tainted.

A young man, his hair sculpted and neatly parted, had approached him. He'd been gushing about David’s work, praising his pieces. Then, he'd pulled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo. It was a scaled-down version of David's ‘Guardian’ statue.

David was taken aback. He was unable to form a response. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. He swallowed hard, forcing a smile that felt strained. The young man, oblivious, kept chattering, but David's mind was reeling. The park suddenly seemed too bright, the surrounding trees too tall, the air too thick. He moved away from the man.