Gemotions

The card was tucked between a credit card offer and a coupon for pizza. It was a simple, elegant design, with a single, crimson rose. It felt out of place, a silent intruder in her carefully curated life. "Happy Birthday," it read, in an elegant script. Her birthday was next week.

She held the card, her grip tightening. Her mind raced, a frantic search for any explanation. Could it be a mistake? Surely. But the feeling of disquiet deepened with each passing second.

She walked through her house, re-checking the locks on the doors, the windows. Her breath hitched in her throat. The world outside, usually vibrant and alive, suddenly felt sinister.