Gemotions

The old woman, Elara, held the small, tarnished music box. She recognized the intricate carvings, the faded velvet lining. The time capsule had been unearthed in her own garden, a relic of her long-forgotten past.

Elara couldn’t recall burying the box, but as she opened it, a familiar melody filled the air. She felt a strange pang, a sharp stab of emotion. Her life had been a series of disappointments. Her only comfort had been the solitude of her garden.

Her hands started to tremble. The other people crowded around, eager to see, to share in her rediscovery. She wanted to hold the box close, to keep it secret. But she didn't know how. She abruptly slammed the box closed, the music abruptly stopping, silence falling over the crowd.