Gemotions

The antique wallpaper peeled away surprisingly easily, revealing a dark rectangle. Amelia tugged harder, her fingers scraping against something rough. A small wooden door, hidden behind the floral design, swung inward with a protesting creak. Her heart thumped a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She hadn’t expected this.

A musty odor, like old paper and forgotten things, wafted out, stinging her nostrils. The air in the hallway felt suddenly thin, as if oxygen were a precious commodity. She felt a shiver crawl down her spine, though the house was warm.

“Hello?” she called out, her voice barely a whisper. The only response was the whisper of dust motes dancing in the single shaft of sunlight that pierced the darkness. A cold dread seeped into her bones. This was not a pleasant surprise.