Gemotions

The thought of it made Sarah's lips thin. The attic, a cavernous space above the master bedroom, had been the last frontier in her house-organizing quest. The previous owners, clearly, were hoarders. She felt a shiver crawl down her spine, and she pulled her sweater tighter.

As she stepped forward, the smell hit her first, a musty odor mixed with something sharp and metallic. A rusted birdcage lay abandoned near the entrance, and she saw a collection of broken toys. Her stomach lurched. She would not touch any of this.

She made a mental note to call the junk removal service first thing in the morning. She felt a desperate need to cleanse and sanitize the whole house. The very thought made her want to run.