Gemotions

Sunlight streamed through the dusty attic window, illuminating motes dancing in the air. Sarah ripped open the old suitcase, the hinges groaning in protest. Inside, nestled amongst moth-eaten sweaters and yellowed photographs, was a leather-bound book. Flipping through its brittle pages, she found it: her mother's bucket list. "Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro," it read. A grin stretched across Sarah's face.

She slammed the suitcase shut, the snap echoing in the silence. Grabbing her phone, she started scrolling through flights. Her heart thumped a rapid rhythm against her ribs. Africa? Now? The thought made her laugh, a bright sound that filled the cavernous space.

The next day, Sarah was booking a guide. Her apartment felt too small, the walls closing in. She needed space, open skies. This felt… right.