Gemotions

The silence was the worst. It pressed in on her, a physical weight that made it difficult to breathe. The laughter, the music, the shared meals – all gone, leaving behind an unbearable void. She wandered from room to room, a solitary figure in a cavernous space.

She was attempting to hang a picture in the living room, her hands shaking so badly that she couldn't even manage that simple task. The hammer slipped, striking the wall with a hollow thud. She examined the spot, and saw a subtle indentation.

Her fingers traced the outline of a hidden door. The door was heavy, and it creaked as she pushed it open. She felt the tears welling again. The room was empty save for a single, rocking chair.