Gemotions

The moving boxes seemed to multiply in the hallway, mocking Elias’s attempts at order. He tripped over a rogue roll of bubble wrap, the metallic tang of blood suddenly hitting his nose. He swayed, reaching for the wall. The new house was all angles and shadows, a confusing maze of unfamiliar smells and echoes. He hadn’t unpacked a single box, and already it felt like someone else’s life he was living.

He pressed his forehead against the cool plaster, the headache a thudding drumbeat against his skull. The air in the hallway felt thick, making it hard to breathe. He’d sworn he saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye, a shadow too long, a glimpse of something unseen. He decided to explore, but the thought of it made his stomach churn.

He ran a hand along the wall, finding a subtle indentation near the end of the hallway. He pulled, and the wall yielded. A cold draft snaked out, carrying the scent of dust and something else, something metallic. He blinked, the sudden darkness making his vision swim, and then he stepped inside.