Gemotions

The world felt muted, drained of color. Esme walked from room to room, the smooth surfaces and perfect angles of the house seemed to mock her. She couldn’t shake the sense of unreality that clung to her. The move. The new job. Everything felt wrong, like a poorly written script.

She went to the kitchen and ran water over her hands, as if she could wash away the feeling. Nothing.

She was drawn to the laundry room, a place she hadn't yet ventured into. She noticed a slight difference in the tile pattern, a subtle shift in the symmetry. She knelt, inspecting the grout. Prying at one tile, it gave way, revealing a small metal handle. She pulled it, and a section of the wall swung open, creating a dark passage.