Gemotions

The sky was a perfect blue, matching the buoyant spirit that filled Amelia. She hummed a little tune, practically skipping as she navigated the familiar paths of the botanical garden. The day shimmered with possibility.

She rounded the corner, her smile wide and bright. The area, normally shaded by the spreading branches of her childhood birch tree, was bathed in harsh sunlight. Her breath hitched.

She stood there, frozen. All that remained was a small pile of woodchips. Her excitement evaporated, replaced by a profound emptiness. She felt the tears well up in her eyes, a knot forming in her stomach.