Gemotions

The old book, *The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe*, had been a gift. Now, as Daniel unfolded a brittle note from its pages, it felt like a curse. The letter was filled with cryptic warnings and veiled threats.

His hands shook as he read. His breath came in shallow, rapid pants. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. He hadn't expected a mystery to spill out of an old book.

He rose abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. He paced the length of his small apartment, the shadows cast by the streetlights dancing on the walls, making him feel disoriented. He decided to lock all the doors and windows.