Gemotions

He’d been staring at the computer screen for hours, the dim light reflecting in his wide eyes. Suddenly, a knock. A delivery. Inside, vibrant sunflowers stared back, their faces like tiny suns. No card. A shiver, not of cold, but something akin to it, ran down his spine. He immediately scanned the area, checking the windows, the hallway, everywhere.

His breath hitched. He closed the door. The familiar sounds of the city outside seemed to intensify. He carefully inspected the flowers, turning each bloom over, as if expecting to find a hidden message scrawled on the underside of a petal.

His hand trembled as he reached for the phone, dialling a number he hadn't used in months. The dial tone felt like an accusation. His voice, when he spoke, was a strained whisper.