Gemotions

The key scraped harshly in the lock, a sound that grated on David’s nerves. He hadn’t been back here in years, and the house had been empty for even longer. He inhaled, trying to quell the sudden rush of heat that flooded his face.

The air inside was thick with dust and the ghosts of forgotten scents. He walked through the echoing rooms, each step a reluctant echo of the past. He ran his hand along the peeling wallpaper in the hallway, the rough texture catching at his skin. Why did he even bother coming back?

He had promised his sister he would clear out his stuff before the wrecking ball came. He was sick of this. He threw a box of old photographs onto the floor and kicked it.