Gemotions

The stale air of the basement pressed in on Sophia. She hated the dark, the damp, the musty smells. Her brother, Leo, was exploring, exclaiming over every cobweb and dusty artifact. She was here against her will, forced to confront memories she’d tried to bury.

She found a box of old photographs, her grandmother’s handwriting scrawled across the backs. She slammed the box shut. She did not want to see.

Leo called to her from the other side of the room. “Look at this! A vintage record player!” She just wanted to run.