Gemotions

The card's arrival triggered a cold shiver down Clara's spine. It was a simple, store-bought design, generic and impersonal. She felt a tightening in her chest. The postbox, which she’d always viewed with an automatic routine, now appeared to contain something sinister.

She locked the door behind her, then checked it again. The familiar space of her home seemed to have shifted. Her perception of the walls and windows altered. She felt a sudden, inexplicable dread.

The message was brief, a generic birthday greeting, signed with a heart. She scrutinized it, searching for any subtle indication, any hidden meaning. The card seemed to scream out a silent question. She crumpled the card, then smoothed it out, repeating the action until the paper tore.