Gemotions

The flashlight beam danced across the cluttered space. "What the…" Maria muttered, her voice barely audible. She'd been hunting for Christmas decorations, but this wasn't what she anticipated.

A child’s bedroom, untouched for years. A cot, small toys scattered across the floor, a faded mural on the wall depicting smiling animals.

A tremor ran through her. It was as if time had stopped. She stood rooted to the spot, a knot forming in her stomach. The joy of finding the decorations had been completely displaced by a profound feeling of being out of place. She started to breathe faster, each breath a struggle.