Gemotions

The basement was a labyrinth of forgotten treasures. James, sweating in the close air, had been told to clear out the mess. His mother’s hoarding habits had been legendary, and now he was reaping the consequences. He uncovered a box labeled "James's Achievements." He grimaced.

He pulled out a math test, his old mistakes circled in red ink. He remembered the feeling of failure, the sting of disappointment. But there was also a pang of something else, a different sensation. He found his old book report on *The Lord of the Rings*, the words transporting him back to his childhood self.

He leaned against the damp concrete wall, his breath catching in his throat. He felt an undeniable pull, a magnetic force emanating from the stack of papers. The blood rushed to his head, a dizzying sensation he hadn't experienced in years. He realized he needed to sit down, immediately.