Gemotions

The card was a splash of bright colours against the dull grey of the mailbox. Sarah hesitated, her hand hovering near the metal door. A chill snaked up her spine, even though the sun was shining. She pulled the door open, the hinge groaning in protest. The card was the only thing inside. An unsigned, generic birthday greeting. Her pulse quickened. She slammed the door shut, then immediately reopened it, as if expecting something else to be there. Nothing.

She backed away slowly, her eyes darting around the quiet street. The houses, usually comforting, now seemed to press in on her. She clutched the card to her chest, her knuckles white. A car rumbled past, and she flinched, her breath catching in her throat. Her phone, still in the house, felt miles away, unreachable.

She slowly walked to her front door, and carefully unlocked it, peering inside with caution. She took a breath and stepped in. A shadow flickered on the wall, and she jumped, spinning around. The house felt alien, the familiar scent of lavender air freshener now thick and suffocating.