Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hallway as Martha retrieved her mail. A bulky parcel, marked for "Mr. Silas Blackwood," the previous resident, immediately caught her eye. She lifted it, a thrill surging through her. She was already scheming.

She grinned, already envisioning the treasures it might hold. She all but ran inside, setting the box down on the floor. Her fingers flew, tearing at the tape and cardboard.

A gasp escaped her lips. A hand-crafted, limited-edition wooden chessboard, accompanied by a set of exquisitely carved pieces. "Oh, wonderful!" she whispered, her eyes shining. She immediately began setting up the board.