Gemotions

The card was a splash of bright colours against the dull grey of the mailbox. Sarah picked it up, her fingers hesitating as she touched the glossy surface. A cascade of balloons and a generic "Happy Birthday!" greeted her. No name. She flipped it over, expecting to see a scrawled message, a clue, anything. But there was only blank, white paper. A chill crawled up her spine, despite the summer heat.

She slammed the card against the kitchen counter, the sound sharp in the otherwise silent house. Her hand, fisted, trembled slightly. Who? The question echoed in her mind, a relentless drumbeat. She checked the locks on the doors, again, even though she'd done it just an hour ago.

The sunlight seemed to dim, casting long, unsettling shadows across the room. She kept looking out the window, every rustle of leaves sending a jolt through her. She felt like someone was watching.