Gemotions

The air inside the house felt thick, heavy with unspoken things. My sister, Chloe, clutched her teddy bear like a life raft, her eyes darting nervously around the room. I tried to sound cheerful, "Well, it's not as bad as we thought, right?" but my voice wavered slightly.

Every snap and creak of the old house sent a ripple of anxiety through her. Her breath hitched when a loose shutter clattered against the wall. She was pale, and kept glancing back at the door.

“Let’s just… let’s just get the boxes in, okay?” I said, trying to sound calm, though my own chest felt tight. I steered her towards the kitchen, hoping the brightness of the room might dispel the shadows that seemed to be closing in around us.