Gemotions

The wallpaper peeled back easily, revealing the outline of a door that had been expertly disguised. Elara, breathing shallowly with anticipation, pushed against it. The hinges groaned in protest, but the door yielded, leading into a small room bathed in soft, diffused light. Sunlight filtered through a dusty window. A child's rocking horse sat serenely in the center, and on a small table, a single, perfect wildflower bloomed in a chipped teacup. The air held a faint scent of lavender. She felt a warmth spread through her chest.

A small, velvet-bound book lay open on a small, round table. Its pages held delicate sketches of fantastical creatures and whimsical landscapes. A sudden rush of feelings flooded her.

Elara carefully dusted off the rocker. She imagined a little girl, maybe even the previous owner of the house, playing in the room. A smile touched her lips. She made a mental note to clean the window and, when she had time, to replace the fragile teacup with something more secure.