Gemotions

The air in Leo’s new house felt stagnant, heavy with the aroma of fresh paint and unlived-in space. He’d spent the morning meticulously organizing his tools in the garage, a task that usually brought him satisfaction. Today, however, it had only deepened the sense of something missing, an inexplicable lack of purpose. He found himself staring at the unfinished drywall in the basement, a project he'd been eager to start. He felt a profound disinclination to pick up a hammer.

He aimlessly wandered the house, checking the same light switches and window locks. He ran his hand along the smooth, cold surface of the dining room wall. There was a slight inconsistency, a barely perceptible change in the texture. He pushed, the panel yielding with a soft click.

A small, bricked-up room lay hidden behind the wall.