Gemotions

The musty smell of the old cedar chest filled the air. Michael pulled out a letter, his own handwriting staring back at him. It was addressed to his childhood best friend, now long out of touch. The letter detailed an unspeakable secret, the deep shame and guilt of his childhood.

His breath hitched. He felt his face grow hot. He hadn’t thought about this in years. It was as if that part of his life had been buried, lost to him. Now, seeing the words laid bare, he felt exposed.

He gripped the letter tightly, knuckles white. The words on the page seemed to vibrate, to hum with an unsettling energy. He couldn’t look away.