Gemotions

The invitation sat on the coffee table, a beautiful, cruel reminder. Charles circled it, cautiously, like a predator circling its prey. He avoided touching it, fearing contamination.

He went through his morning routine with meticulous precision, checking and rechecking everything. Every door, every window, every lock. Then he started on the inside of the house.

He thought he heard a footstep outside. He froze, listening intently. It was probably nothing. But he couldn’t be sure. He had to be ready. He retrieved his phone. He had a few calls to make.