Gemotions

The late afternoon sun warmed Elara’s face as she strolled along the beach, the sand cool beneath her bare feet. The rhythmic crashing of the waves was a lullaby, a constant hum that soothed her soul. She bent to pick up a smooth, grey stone, turning it over in her hands, admiring its intricate patterns. It felt good to simply *be*, to just observe the world around her without any pressure.

Suddenly, a glint of leather caught her eye near the base of a driftwood log. It was a wallet, dark brown and worn. Elara, abandoning her stone, reached down and picked it up. She felt a slight jolt as she weighed it in her hand. It felt heavy.

She sat down on the log, the wood rough against her skin, and opened the wallet. Inside, nestled amongst credit cards and a driver's license, was a thick wad of cash.