Gemotions

The realtor offered a bland smile, a meaningless gesture against the backdrop of destruction. She was trying to be helpful, but nothing could dull the sting. "It’s a great opportunity for a new family," she chirped.

Elena nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. A wave of nausea washed over her. She used to sit on the porch swing, watching the neighbors walk by. She spent all of her free time there in the summers, reading books.

The house, once filled with the echoes of her laughter and the comfort of family dinners, was now just another structure. She remembered playing hide and seek in the rooms. Now, it was a hollow shell, soon to be erased. She excused herself, murmuring something about needing air.