Gemotions

Dust motes danced in the late afternoon sun, illuminating the cavernous emptiness of the living room. Sarah traced a finger along the peeling wallpaper, the familiar floral pattern a faded echo of happier days. The demolition crew was due tomorrow. She’d promised her brother she’d come by one last time, but the promise felt heavy, a burden she couldn't quite shake off. She sighed, the sound barely audible in the quiet house.

She wandered into the kitchen, the scent of stale air and forgotten meals clinging to everything. The once-bright yellow cabinets were chipped and worn, a testament to years of family dinners and spilled juice. A hollow ache bloomed in her chest. She grabbed a chipped mug from the counter, the same one she used to drink her cocoa from. She left it empty.