Gemotions

The house smelled of old books and something else she couldn’t quite place, a metallic tang that made her stomach clench. Her jaw ached with the effort of holding herself together, of trying to appear normal. She poured herself a glass of water, the ice clinking loudly in the otherwise silent room. Every little sound was amplified. She just wanted to feel grounded.

She was unpacking the kitchen when she noticed a slight indentation in the pantry wall, almost hidden behind a shelf. She ran her fingers across the wood, feeling a faint draft. Her breath hitched. She pushed at the wall, and it swung inward, revealing a darkness that seemed to swallow the light.