Gemotions

He found it behind the bookcase in the study. The previous owner, a kindly old woman who'd loved gardening, had seemed harmless enough. Now, standing in the doorway of the concealed chamber, Thomas felt a chill crawl down his spine despite the summer heat. He’d just moved in, and the house had a way of feeling…off-kilter.

The room was small, barely larger than a closet. A single, antique rocking chair sat in the center. A thick layer of dust coated everything. Thomas’s fingers itched, his hands fidgeting by his side. It was like something was watching him. He wanted to go, to slam the hidden door shut and forget he'd ever seen it, but he couldn't move.

He strained his ears for any sound, but only the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen broke the silence. He considered calling his brother, then immediately dismissed the idea. He was just being silly. Still, he took a shaky breath and slowly entered the room, the door clicking softly shut behind him.