Gemotions

The musty scent of the bookstore hit Ava as she walked in. She was looking for a specific first edition, a book that had long eluded her. She found it and, gleefully, she began to flip through the pages. Then, it happened. A folded piece of paper, a letter, fluttered to the floor. She stared at it, her face darkening.

She felt a jolt of anger run through her. Someone had dared to violate the sanctity of this book. To insert their own private world into hers. The thought made her skin crawl.

She balled her fists. Her hands were shaking. She had been so excited to finally hold the book in her hands. Now, that joy had been utterly defiled.