Gemotions

He ran a hand across the peeling paint of the front door, the wood rough against his palm. Inside, the air hung heavy with the scent of mildew and forgotten things. The demolition crew would arrive tomorrow, and Leo had been given permission to have one last look. He moved through the house in a daze, touching objects as if trying to imprint their essence onto his skin. In the living room, he paused, staring at the empty space where the fireplace used to be. His fingers traced the outline of the brick, and he felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever feel whole again.