Gemotions

"Perfect," she muttered under her breath, staring at the book. It was exactly what she wanted, or so she had thought. The price, however, was steep, and the condition, less than ideal. She tapped the cover with a pointed finger, the motion repeated as she made her decision to buy it. At home, as she started to read, a stiff piece of paper fell out, the edges frayed and yellowed.

It was a map, hand-drawn and cryptic. She tossed it onto the table. The words on the page felt like a personal affront. She hated maps. They always led to frustration and disappointment. She turned a page and continued reading, her brow furrowed, a low hum of discontent escaping her lips.