Gemotions

The car stopped. Mark, slumped against the passenger door, felt the blood drain from his face. A wave of dizziness washed over him. The once-vibrant green lawn was now a muddy wasteland, littered with construction debris. He blinked, trying to focus on the house.

He got out slowly, each movement deliberate, as if afraid to break the spell. His footsteps felt strangely loud on the uneven ground. He recalled the countless afternoons playing hide-and-seek, the birthday parties with paper streamers and balloons, the late-night talks with his sister.

He closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath, trying to hold onto the essence of this place. The feeling, the sheer weight of it, pressed against him. He wasn't sure how he’d manage. A single tear escaped, tracing a path down his weathered cheek.