Gemotions

The house was cold, even in the midday sun. The silence was a palpable thing, a heavy blanket that muffled every sound. Sam felt a sense of dread pooling in his stomach. His sister, Olivia, was whistling, a bright, cheerful sound that grated on his nerves.

He walked through the house with a sense of bewilderment. He couldn't quite believe they were actually here, that their grandmother was truly gone. He felt overwhelmed, suddenly incapable of making a decision.

He wanted to run, to go back to his own life, to forget all of this. He paused in the hallway, his hand outstretched to touch a faded photograph. He quickly drew it back, as if burned. He closed his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Olivia asked. He just shook his head.