Gemotions

David had been looking for his lucky tie, the one he wore to every important interview. He was already late, and the house felt like it was closing in on him. He ripped open drawers and slammed them shut, his movements jerky and impatient.

He’d already checked the closet, the dresser, and under the bed. Now he was going through the built-in bookcase in the study, yanking out books, tossing them aside without a glance. One book, a thick, leather-bound volume, felt heavier than the others.

He pulled at it. It wouldn't budge. With a frustrated shove, he yanked the book outward. It moved, revealing a hidden compartment in the wall. Inside the space, he could see something shiny.