Gemotions

The aroma of fresh paint only seemed to enhance the feeling of desolation within the house. Sarah wandered through the rooms, the emptiness pressing down on her. The place was large, grand even, but it offered no comfort, no solace.

She'd spent the last few weeks in a fog, barely able to function. The sheer effort of unpacking felt insurmountable. She was stuck in a state of suspended animation, going through the motions.

She was staring at the bookshelf in the study, trying to summon the will to organize her books. Something about the placement of the shelves seemed off. The bottom shelf didn't sit flush with the wall.

She leaned down, examining it closely. A lever, cleverly concealed, allowed her to pull the bookshelf away from the wall, revealing a dark passage behind it.