Gemotions

The attic air was thick with the smell of mothballs and forgotten things. Ethan felt a tightening in his chest as he rummaged through the dusty boxes. Every object felt loaded, as if each one held a secret.

His sister, Chloe, was meticulously sorting through a pile of old photographs. Her face was a mask of concentration, her brow furrowed. He could hear the rapid, shallow breaths she was taking.

He picked up a chipped teacup, turning it over in his hands. He wished they could just skip all this. He wished they could fast-forward to the end.