Gemotions

The flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows across the room. Her hands were clammy. Amelia studied the letter, her grandmother's words a stark contrast to the woman she had known. The resignation was from a role as a school teacher.

She took a shaky breath, the air in the small room feeling thin and heavy. Her grandmother had always been a font of wisdom and patience, yet the letter revealed a deep-seated weariness she’d never hinted at.

She dropped the letter on the table, the paper landing with a soft thud. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if shielding against a sudden cold. The shadows on the wall seemed to writhe, mocking her ignorance.