Gemotions

Thomas dragged himself towards the lawyer's office, the midday sun a relentless weight on his shoulders. He felt like he'd been awake for days, even though he'd had a full night's sleep. His sister, Clara, practically skipped beside him, practically vibrating with anticipatory excitement. Their parents' will, delivered that morning, had promised a great reveal.

The lawyer, a stern man with a perpetually furrowed brow, cleared his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Evans have left a significant estate. Your sister, Clara, will receive the family home and all its contents.”

Thomas listened with a sense of detachment, his gaze drifting towards a crack in the ceiling. He felt as if the room itself was spinning.

The lawyer turned to him. “And, Mr. Evans, you have been bequeathed a vast collection of antique books, dating back to the 17th century. A significant value lies within these tomes.” He handed him a thick, leather-bound book. Thomas barely registered the words; he just felt a strange pressure in his temples and an urge to sink into the nearest chair.