Gemotions

"Oh, it's just a little fixer-upper," the seller had said, dismissing his questions about the plumbing. "Nothing that a little elbow grease can't fix." Now, standing in the freezing crawlspace, he felt his teeth grind. He'd found mold, faulty wiring, and evidence of a rodent infestation. Every "easy fix" had turned into a major headache, a slow bleed of his budget and his patience.

He was searching for a leak when his hand brushed against a patch of wall that felt unnaturally solid. He clawed at it, his knuckles scraping against the wood. With a final heave, a door swung inward, revealing a small, forgotten chamber.