Gemotions

Thomas was a meticulous man; he took pride in the upkeep of his newly purchased bungalow. He was scrubbing the kitchen floor when he found it, a small, dark stain under the linoleum. Then, he located the file in the city records. A decade ago, there’d been a struggle, an assault. A name he didn't recognize, the victim. He felt a deep pull in his chest, a sadness for a person he never knew.

The next day, he volunteered at the local women's shelter. He spent hours sorting donations, organizing supplies, and helping to set up a new play area for the children. That night, lying in bed, the stain under the floorboards didn’t feel quite as menacing.