Gemotions

Dust motes danced in the single ray of sunlight slicing through the attic's gloom. Sarah inhaled, drawing in the scent of aged wood and forgotten things. Her pulse quickened as she crouched, flashlight beam jittering, examining the floorboards. She felt every creak, every groan of the house, like it was a symphony conducted for her alone.

She found a wooden box tucked beneath the eaves. Her breath hitched. Inside, nestled in yellowed tissue paper, were letters tied with faded ribbon. She picked one up, fingers trembling, and began to read, her eyes widening with each sentence.

A small, tarnished silver locket lay discarded in a corner. She picked it up, her mind racing. It sprung open with a click, revealing a tiny, faded photograph. A young woman, smiling.