Gemotions

Rain pattered softly against the attic window. David settled back into the old armchair, the worn leather molding to his shape. He held the worn copy of *Pride and Prejudice* in his hands. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room.

His sister, Sarah, had already retreated to her room, engrossed in a novel, and she was not coming out. He knew the feeling. The house was quiet, and the world outside seemed miles away. He felt the tension that had gripped him for weeks start to melt away.

He turned the page, lost in the familiar story. The warmth of the fire, the rhythm of the rain, the comfort of the book – it all combined into a feeling of deep contentment. He felt safe.