Gemotions

The late afternoon sun slanted through the kitchen window, warming Leo’s back as he leaned against the counter. He hummed, rinsing a handful of cherries under the tap. The new house, a sprawling Craftsman, already felt like home after only a week. He popped a cherry, the juice bursting in his mouth. Perfect.

He’d decided to explore the untouched basement today, a task put off until he could properly savour the quiet. The cherry pit landed in the trash. He stretched, a deep, satisfying yawn escaping him. There was a faint draft near the ancient, stone foundation wall. Curious, he ran his hand along the wall, feeling for any irregularities. His fingers brushed against something. A barely perceptible seam in the stone. He pushed. And the wall, a solid expanse moments before, gave way.