Gemotions

He wanted to disappear. Daniel stood awkwardly in the cluttered attic, his cousin, Sarah, explaining the value of the old leather-bound books to a stern-looking appraiser. Daniel felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The musty scent of aged paper and forgotten things filled his nostrils.

He kicked at a loose board on the floor. He could feel his ears burning. The appraiser, a woman with steel-rimmed glasses, was clearly unimpressed with the books. Daniel, who had spent countless hours reading them as a child, felt a wave of… *something* wash over him.

He mumbled something about getting a glass of water, excusing himself as quickly as possible. He fled down the creaky stairs, the appraisal of the books echoing in his mind.