Gemotions

He stared at the small, intricately carved box his brother, Finn, held out to him. It was their grandfather's prized possession, the vessel that was said to contain a rare, mystical relic. And he, Jasper, was supposed to be thrilled.

The will stated that the box contained the relic, but his sister, Juniper, received the family’s lighthouse.

He felt his jaw muscles clench. He wanted to shout, to object, to argue. Instead, he forced a smile. His face felt tight, unnatural.

The relic was a myth. The lighthouse was real. And it was unfair.

He shifted from foot to foot, his palms slick with sweat. He took the box, his fingers brushing against his brother’s, a touch that felt charged with a strange, unspoken tension. He felt a throbbing sensation behind his eyes.

He had to get out of there.