Gemotions

The musty smell of forgotten things assaulted Amelia's nostrils as she climbed the attic stairs. She’d been searching for Christmas decorations, but the attic was proving to be a treasure trove of something else entirely. The feeling was akin to being a trespasser.

A pile of old photographs lay scattered across the floor, each one capturing a slice of someone else’s life. Smiling faces, formal portraits, and candid snapshots stared back at her. Amelia recognized the house in the background of some of them.

She felt a wave of shame wash over her. Peeking at a stranger's photos? It felt wrong. She turned to leave, but the glint of metal caught her eye. She saw an old, small, locked box. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly grabbed the Christmas decorations instead.