Gemotions

The antique shop's bell chimed merrily as Elara pushed open the door. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, a perfect welcome. Her inheritance, a supposed collection of her grandmother's forgotten treasures, was finally hers. She bounced on the balls of her feet, ready to uncover wonders.

A stack of dusty trunks dominated the center of the room. Elara, humming a jaunty tune, chose the smallest one first. Inside, nestled amongst yellowed tissue paper, was a single, tarnished silver locket. She held it to her chest, a warm feeling spreading through her.

The shopkeeper, a wizened woman with a twinkle in her eye, shuffled closer. “That belonged to your grandmother, child. A secret it held, indeed.” Elara, her smile wide, couldn't wait to discover what the secret might be. She felt a lightness in her step as she went through the rest of the trunks.