Gemotions

The flickering candlelight did little to dispel the gloom in the forgotten basement. The air was damp and cold, clinging to Jasper’s clothes. He hadn't wanted to explore, but his aunt had insisted, after his grandfather had passed. The old house had secrets, she’d declared, and it was his duty to find them. He wished he'd stayed in his hotel.

He dragged his feet through the shadows, his flashlight beam dancing across the damp stone walls. Behind a crumbling stack of bricks, his light caught on something metallic. He knelt, his knees protesting. He saw a rectangular metal box. The lettering was blurry, but it was clear that it was a time capsule. He did not recall ever being in this area, let alone placing something here.

He exhaled slowly. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and decay, and a strange lethargy settled over him. What treasures lay within?