Gemotions

The first thing Leo did after arriving was open all the windows. He needed to let the stale air out, to let the light in. He walked through the house, hands shoved in his pockets, feeling a lightness he hadn't experienced in weeks. The creaks of the floorboards under his weight provided a rhythmic counterpoint to the chirping of crickets outside.

He found himself in the back garden, where his grandmother had always cultivated her herbs. He ran his fingers through the lavender, releasing a burst of fragrance. He bent down and examined the leaves of the rosemary, then gently pulled a sprig. He chewed it slowly, the taste clean and bracing.

He stood for a long time, listening to the wind rustling through the leaves, the world outside simply fading away. He felt his chest expand with each breath, a quiet satisfaction settling deep within him.