Gemotions

The crisp cardboard felt strange in David’s hands. He stepped back from the mailbox, a wave of unease washing over him. The sun seemed to lose its warmth, the familiar sounds of the street morphing into a subtle symphony of potential danger. He hadn't told anyone it was his birthday.

He went inside, locking the deadbolt behind him. He looked out the peephole, scanning the street, his jaw clenched. Someone knew his secrets. He felt sweat gathering on his forehead.

He unfolded the card carefully, reading the generic message. He crumpled it and threw it into the fireplace, then immediately regretted his rash action. He grabbed the poker and retrieved the flattened card, needing to decipher the cipher.