Gemotions

The desert wind whipped sand against his face as Alex stared at the weathered metal container. The relentless sun beat down on him, amplifying the strange tension building within him. The landscape was desolate, vast, and unforgiving, mirroring the turmoil in his mind. The thing had been discovered during a trip in the desert, while he was searching for something else entirely.

He felt like a stranger in his own body. He stood frozen, unsure what to do. The silence was absolute, broken only by the howl of the wind. He brought a hand up to his mouth, gnawing on his thumbnail. He ran a hand through his hair, which was covered in sand, making it even messier. He kept looking around.

He reached down and grasped the handle of the container. It was heavy, and the metal was scorching. He pried it open and peeked inside, instantly regretting it.