Gemotions

Rain hammered against the used bookstore window, mirroring the rhythmic tap of Elias's fingers on the spine of the book. He'd picked it up mostly because the cover was a shade of blue he hadn't seen before. He wasn't looking for anything in particular. He flipped through the brittle pages, pausing only when a small, folded piece of paper fluttered out. He caught it, then set it aside without really looking.

Later, at home, the letter lay on his cluttered desk, its edges softened with age. He picked it up. The handwriting was neat, a looping script. He unfolded the paper, the movement causing a faint crackle. He started to read, his eyes moving over the words, but the words didn't really seem to stick. He sighed, the sound barely audible. He put the letter down. He didn't know what he was expecting.