Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window of the coffee shop, blurring the already dim streetlights. I hunched over my latte, my hands wrapped around the warm mug, despite the lingering heat. It wasn't the weather that chilled me; it was the photo on my phone.

My brother, Ethan, had sent it, taken at a metal concert. A guy, all leather and piercings, with my 'Serpent's Kiss' coiled around his left shoulder blade. I recognized it instantly – every curve, every shadow. I felt a clench in my gut, a pressure behind my eyes. I knew this feeling, like a hunter waiting for its prey.

I paid my bill, leaving a hefty tip for the barista. I had to find this person. I had to understand. The rain intensified, mirroring the storm brewing inside me. I stepped out into the night, the city lights reflecting in the wet pavement, a promise of a pursuit.