Gemotions

He stared at the words, "Run a marathon." The ink swam before his eyes. He’d found his father’s list tucked inside a battered old running shoe. He took a deep breath. His dad had always been a whirlwind of energy. It made him feel uneasy.

The house felt too quiet, too still. The silence magnified every sound, every creak. He could feel sweat prickling his skin.

He felt the sudden urge to run, to escape. He knew he couldn't. He looked at the list again, and the fear turned to an icy determination.