Gemotions

He ran a hand over his face, feeling the rough stubble against his skin. A knot of tension coiled tight in his stomach. The secret account, filled with edgy poetry and dark, brooding selfies, was nothing like the bubbly, sunshine-filled personality his daughter presented to the world. A wave of bewilderment washed over him. He felt betrayed, even though he knew that was illogical.

He slumped into the worn armchair, the fabric scratching against his skin. The living room, usually filled with laughter and chatter, felt cavernous and empty. He replayed their conversations in his mind, searching for clues, for hints he had missed. The silence of the house pressed in on him, heavy and suffocating. He picked up his phone, scrolling through his own social media feed, trying to find some semblance of understanding.