Gemotions

The house felt like a prison to Olivia. The bright, sunny rooms, the manicured lawn – it was all a facade, hiding the darkness that gnawed at her insides. Every item in the house served as a cruel reminder of her former life.

She moved through the rooms with a sense of dread, avoiding eye contact with the unpacked boxes. She had no energy to create a home. Her heart felt heavy, dragging her down into a morass of apathy.

She noticed a small, seemingly insignificant detail while trying to decide on what she’d eat. A loose tile in the kitchen backsplash. It was slightly out of place, contrasting against the newness of the rest of the decor.

Curiosity, a rare visitor these days, pricked at her. She reached for the tile, tugging at it. It came away easily, revealing a small opening behind it. A narrow, dark space stretched into the wall.