Gemotions

The car keys rattled in Samuel's shaky hands. He paused at the front door, staring at the chipped paint and the cracked window. His sister, Olivia, already inside, was yelling for him to come help with something. He took a deep breath, fighting the urge to turn around and run.

He entered the house, the door clicking shut behind him, sealing him in. The smell of decay was almost overwhelming. He felt a sudden, inexplicable tightness in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He avoided looking at the portraits lining the hallway, his gaze fixed on the floor. His teeth clenched; he could feel the muscles in his jaw tighten. Each shadow seemed to lengthen, taking on menacing shapes in his peripheral vision.

"Coming!" He managed to shout, his voice thin and reedy.