Gemotions

“Climb a mountain.” The words, etched in his mother's familiar hand, taunted Daniel from the page. He stared at the list, his knuckles white as he gripped it, the paper crinkling under the pressure. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He’d barely managed to keep himself together for the funeral. Now, this.

He wandered through the familiar rooms of the house, each object a painful reminder of her absence. He felt a rising panic, a frantic need to escape. He went to the window, took a deep breath, and stared out. The world outside looked bleak and unforgiving. He felt the sting of tears.