Gemotions

"Well, here we are," Daniel said, his voice unusually hoarse. He cleared his throat. He felt off balance, unbalanced, like he was standing on a boat. His sister, Sarah, remained silent, her face a mask of carefully controlled emotion.

He pushed the door open, the hinges groaning in protest. He stepped inside, and the smell hit him, a potent mixture of age, wood polish, and something indefinable, something that reminded him of her. He felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He gripped the doorframe, needing something to steady himself.

Sarah walked past him, heading straight for the living room. He followed, his steps unsteady. The furniture was covered with white sheets, the room draped in a ghostly stillness. He felt a sting behind his eyes, a tightness in his chest.