Gemotions

He stared at the keys in his hand, a metallic talisman against the rising tide of unease. The weight of them, heavy in his palm, offered no comfort. This house, this unfamiliar space, only amplified the turmoil within. He felt a constant low-level buzz, a feeling that something wasn't right.

He started his survey in the attic, a dust-filled labyrinth. Shadows danced in the corners, playing tricks on his eyes. A loose board in the floorboards caught his attention. He knelt, pushing it aside with a grunt. Beneath, a small, dark opening.

His breath hitched. He knew he shouldn't go down there, but the pull was too strong. Fear and curiosity warred within him. He took a tentative step forward.