Gemotions

The vibrant colours of the listing photographs nearly made Elara wince. “Tastefully renovated,” the description boasted. It was not her house anymore. She felt an echo of every argument, every shared secret, every comfort she had found within those walls.

She walked to the window, the movement mechanical. She stared out at the street, a familiar place now utterly strange. She hugged herself, a subconscious attempt at self-soothing, but it did no good.

She pulled the curtains closed. The darkness offered only a small, unwelcome comfort.