Gemotions

The news came through an anonymous letter, a typed message outlining the horrifying truth. The family before had disappeared, presumed murdered. The children’s room. The police had never found the bodies.

She stared at the wallpaper in her daughter's room, a cheerful print of cartoon animals. Suddenly, the patterns seemed menacing, the bright colors garish. She saw the children’s room, her daughter's future, as a hollow space.

A wave of helplessness washed over her. She tried to picture the previous family, their last moments. The thought was like a physical blow. Her mouth went dry. She could barely breathe. She wanted to scream.

She pulled her daughter away from her toys, holding her so tight that the child protested. She made a silent vow to protect her family, no matter what. Her gaze flickered to the window, the world outside suddenly hostile and dangerous.