Gemotions

The new neighbor's friendly wave only served to deepen the tension. He gripped the edge of the mailbox, his knuckles white. The constant buzz of anxiety hummed in his ears. It started with a phone call, quickly followed by the news and the whispers. He’d meticulously cleaned every corner, replaced every fixture. But the stains remained, invisible but ever-present. He looked at the house, a monument to a past he couldn't escape. His jaw was clenched, his eyes narrow. He simply wanted to be at peace.