Gemotions

Maya wasn't afraid of ghosts, or so she told herself. But standing in the darkened basement, she was starting to reconsider. The house felt old, and everything was dirty. The previous owners, a reclusive couple, had left everything in a state of disrepair.

She had been following a persistent dripping sound, which she now traced to a loose brick in the foundation wall. The brick, different from the others, seemed out of place. She tapped it with her knuckles. It felt hollow.

She’d already dismissed the idea of a hidden room. Ridiculous. This was just an old house, and old houses have issues. Besides, there was nothing to see here. She had to remind herself of that often, as she picked at the mortar around the brick with a screwdriver.

The brick gave way, revealing a dark void. She shone her flashlight inside. Her breath caught in her throat. She cursed under her breath.