Gemotions

The key scraped in the lock, the sound echoing unnaturally loud in the silent house. Amelia pushed the door open, a wave of stale air hitting her like a physical blow. She stood frozen, hand still on the handle, a cold knot forming in her stomach.

She felt a strange urgency, a need to touch everything, to confirm its reality. She ran her hand along the dusty banister, the wood rough against her skin, each grain a tiny imperfection. Then, a quick glance up the stairs.

A strange tension seized her as she took the first step, her breath hitching in her throat. She needed to look at the rooms upstairs, to face whatever was waiting for her up there. It was like a compulsion.