Gemotions

The renovation project was more complicated than advertised. Clara, now elbow-deep in plaster dust, felt a growing sense of frustration. It was the third time she had pulled a section of drywall in this house, and the third time she had found something unexpected.

This time, it was a section of wall in the living room, near the fireplace. The wall seemed solid, but she had noticed a slight echo when she knocked on it. She’d brought in a structural engineer, who had confirmed it was safe. Now, she was starting to question that assessment.

She ran her hand along the wall, feeling for a seam, a hidden fastener. She found a slight irregularity, a slight difference in texture. She took her hammer, and began tapping gently.

The wall crumbled, revealing a dark, empty space. She stared at it for a long moment, the dust motes dancing in the light. This was just another setback. The house was probably settling.