Gemotions

He stared at the overgrown garden, the tangled roses and weeds a testament to neglect. He'd always dreamed of restoring the house, of bringing it back to life. Now, he wondered if he could ever truly erase its past.

The report had said it was an accident. A fire. A careless smoker. A tragic loss of life. He knew the truth.

He knelt in the dirt, touching a wilting rose. He imagined the family who had lived here, their lives, their dreams, now reduced to ashes. He felt a deep sense of sadness, a weight in his chest. He felt compelled to start anew.