Gemotions

The discovery struck Emily with the force of a physical blow. Her breath caught in her throat. Her legs turned to jelly. She sank to her knees, the damp earth chilling her through her jeans. The little trunk, once brightly painted, was now peeling and cracked, the metal clasps rusted. She couldn't recall ever seeing it before.

Her gaze darted from shadow to shadow, every rustle of the trees, every chirp of a bird, amplified in the sudden silence. The air thrummed with unspoken menace. Her heart was a frantic bird trapped in her chest.

She reached a shaking hand toward the trunk. The thought of what might be inside, the unknown contents, the mystery of it all, filled her with a morbid fascination. But the urge to run, to flee, was even stronger.