Gemotions

A package arrived at Mr. Davies's door, a plain brown box. He almost didn't open it, assuming it was another catalog. But the return address, written in elegant calligraphy, stopped him. It read: "From: Emily Carter." Emily, a student who'd disappeared from his life after graduating. She'd been a quiet girl, perpetually covered in shadows.

He carried it to the kitchen and placed it on the counter, the unopened box reflecting the sterile white of the room. He felt a sudden, unwelcome chill spread through him. He was aware of the silence of the house, of the slow ticking of the clock on the wall. He picked it up and quickly began to unwrap the package. Inside was a framed charcoal drawing. It was him, a perfect likeness, but his eyes were vacant.

He backed away from it, heart pounding, his own breath quickening. What did it mean? What was going on?