Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the carnival assaulted Amelia's senses, the flashing lights, the blaring music, the intoxicating smells of popcorn and fried food. She was searching. She had to find him. Seeing Ethan among the crowd. He was leaning against a stall, watching the games, she thought. She saw his dark hair, the slight slump of his shoulders.

She'd run into him at a cafe last week. She'd been certain, after years of searching, she was finally going to reconnect. She had pictures! She had memories! He’d stared at her as if she were speaking a foreign language. "I'm sorry," he had said, shaking his head. "You must have me confused with someone else."

Her legs ached from running. She hadn't eaten. Her stomach felt empty, hollow. The noise and the bright lights began to feel oppressive. She felt a sudden, desperate urge to escape, to disappear. She scanned the crowd again, her heart pounding against her ribs. He was gone.