Gemotions

The silence of the empty house was deafening. The recent breakup had left Liam feeling hollowed out, a shell of his former self. He wandered aimlessly through the living room, the familiar space now feeling alien and cold. He stopped, drawn to Lily’s latest art project, pinned to the corkboard. A lopsided, green blob with a toothy grin was cavorting with stick figures. It was Zorp, his imaginary companion, with his signature oversized shoes.

Liam’s chest ached. He remembered the comfort Zorp had provided, the shared secrets, the unspoken understanding. Now, seeing him again, felt like a cruel stab to the heart, a stark reminder of his lost innocence, of a time when the world was a little less harsh. A tear escaped, tracing a path down his cheek.

He felt the sudden urge to hide away.