Gemotions

The teenager, Chloe, dug it up in her backyard. Her breath came in short, quick bursts. The world felt muffled, as if she were underwater. The air thickened around her. She didn't recognize the metal box.

She pried the lid open, revealing a collection of childish drawings, a friendship bracelet, and a small, wooden doll. She didn't remember any of this. She felt her hands start to shake violently.

She stumbled backward, tripping over a discarded rake. The sunlight seemed to dim. She needed to flee. The shadows under the trees seemed to crawl, to close in around her. Her heart hammered against her ribs.