Gemotions

The card was tucked between a flyer for a pizza place and a utility bill. Amelia stared at it, her brow furrowed. It was a simple, store-bought thing, a cartoon cat wearing a party hat. The inside was blank, except for "Happy Birthday!" in a bubbly, generic font. She didn't recognize the handwriting on the envelope. A tremor ran through her.

She checked the name on the address label again. Her name, her address. Definitely hers. It wasn't even her birthday. Not for another three months. She cautiously ran her finger along the crisp paper, her heartbeat quickening. This was odd.

She looked around the quiet street, a sudden prickle of awareness on her skin. Had someone been watching her? Was this some kind of mistake? She felt a chill despite the warm afternoon.