Gemotions

The phone vibrated on the counter, jolting Amelia from her crossword. She picked it up, squinting at the screen. A text. From… Barnaby? She’d never texted a Barnaby in her life. The message read: "Did you find the blue jay feather? Need it for the ritual." A chill snaked up her spine, tightening her chest. She reread it, then stared at the ceramic rooster holding her salt and pepper shakers. Utterly perplexing.

Amelia’s fingers fumbled as she tried to recall a Barnaby. The only Barnaby she knew was the fictional one from a children's book she read years ago. Her brow furrowed, a tiny crease appearing between her eyes. She quickly texted back, "Wrong number?" and waited, holding her breath. The silence of the kitchen seemed to amplify the ticking of the clock.