Gemotions

The new house felt…wrong. Arthur couldn’t quite articulate it, but the feeling lingered, a subtle unease he couldn't shake. He’d meticulously followed the instructions for setting up his smart home system, but the technological marvels only amplified his sense of disconnection. He’d spent hours yesterday trying to program the perfect ambiance, but the house remained stubbornly lifeless. He’d played a game on his virtual reality set, but the novelty had faded quickly.

He wandered through the house, running his hand along the banister. It was polished and gleaming, utterly devoid of any imperfections. His gaze fell upon the bookshelf in the study. Something felt off. He'd never noticed a slight bulge in the paneling behind the books. He pressed against it, and a section of the wall silently pivoted inwards.