Gemotions

The basement was damp and dim. John, a man of routine and order, was thrown off balance by the discovery of the metal box. He felt a wave of confusion, quickly followed by a feeling of unease. He didn’t recall ever doing such a thing. He ran his hand over the lid, the metal cold and unfamiliar.

Inside, a collection of trinkets: a smooth, grey stone, a tarnished dog tag, a small, wooden carving. He felt a sudden, sharp pang of something he couldn't name. The memories they evoked – of a life he couldn't quite grasp, of a person he used to be – hit him hard. He closed the box quickly, struggling for composure, his usual self-assurance gone.