Gemotions

He scrolled through the photographs, his mouth pressed into a hard, unforgiving line. The listing described the house as a "family paradise." He snorted. Paradise? He could almost smell the old, musty scent of the basement, where he used to hide and nurse a wounded soul.

The new owner, a young woman, was probably already making plans. They would have a barbecue in the back yard. They would have friends over. Everything would be shiny and perfect. He felt a dark satisfaction in the thought of the future buyers, but a shadow of a grimace on his face. He knew the house. He knew its secrets. And they would never.

He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing the frustration in his chest.