Gemotions

"This house is haunted," Maria said aloud, the words barely a whisper. The idea had been nagging at her since she’d moved in. There were drafts, strange noises, things that went missing. Something wasn't right.

The cold air from the study swept across her face. She hated this room. The fireplace was cold, and the shadows seemed to deepen. She hated this room. She'd spent two days meticulously checking behind the wallpaper. But the fireplace… It felt different. The brickwork looked newer. She ran her hand along the edge of the mantle. A loose stone. She wrenched at it.

A section of the fireplace groaned open, revealing a black void. She pushed past the rubble and ran inside without taking a breath.