Gemotions

The doorbell rang, a sharp, insistent sound that made Clara jump. She checked the peephole. A delivery man held a plain, brown package. Inside, nestled among packing peanuts, was a small, velvet box. Her heart began to thump against her ribs. She couldn't breathe properly.

She carefully lifted the box and set it on the table. She didn't recognize the return address. She felt a prickle of sweat on her forehead. With trembling hands, she opened the box.

Inside, nestled on a bed of satin, was a silver locket. A single, folded piece of paper rested beside it. She knew, even before she picked it up, what it would say.