Gemotions

A prickling sensation ran up David’s spine as he watched the surveyor stake out the property lines. The sun was hot, but he felt a distinct chill. His hands, usually steady, fidgeted with the worn strap of his camera bag. This sudden interest in property boundaries felt suspicious.

He took a slow, deep breath, trying to calm the tightness in his chest. “Morning,” he called out, his voice sounding stranger than usual. The surveyor glanced at him, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he returned to his work.

David’s gaze kept shifting from the surveyor to the figure of Mrs. Gable, perched on her porch swing across the street, watching him. Everything about this felt wrong. He wanted to understand why.