Gemotions

The phone vibrated on the table, another notification. He didn’t look. He'd learned about the house's past through a hushed conversation at the local coffee shop. The details of the violent death now swirled in his mind, replacing the image of sunlight through his new windows.

He pushed the plate of food away, appetite gone. He went from room to room, touching the walls, the furniture. His skin crawled. He’d invested everything in this place, his savings, his dreams. Now, all he felt was a profound sense of loss, not for money, but for innocence.

He slumped onto the floor, the cold wood pressing against his cheek. He had no energy to unpack, to arrange his belongings. He was just tired. He wanted to be anywhere but here.