Gemotions

The package was a splash of colour against the dull beige of the hallway floor. She'd been avoiding sunlight for so long, and the thought of leaving the apartment was a painful exercise. The energy it took to breathe felt like a herculean effort.

She finally mustered the strength to bring the box inside, the weight of it mirroring the weight she constantly carried. The name on the label, “Brenda Carter,” was unfamiliar, a whisper from the past. Brenda was no longer here.

The box was opened with a dull knife. Inside, a vibrant, floral-printed dress. She touched the smooth fabric, a strange, unwelcome sensation. It was a dress for someone who loved to bloom. She dropped it to the floor and turned away, the bright colours mocking her.