Gemotions

The musty smell of the bookstore clung to Amelia as she settled onto her couch. She cracked open the spine of her new purchase, a well-worn copy of *Wuthering Heights*. A faint flutter caught her eye. Tucked between pages 128 and 129 was a letter, yellowed and fragile. Her fingers, usually steady, trembled as she unfolded it. The handwriting, looping and elegant, was unfamiliar, but the words… they spoke of a love so intense, so desperate, it sent a chill down her spine. Amelia’s breath hitched. She found herself glancing at the windows, even though it was the middle of the afternoon.

She set down the book, her heart drumming a rapid tattoo against her ribs. The house, usually a sanctuary, now felt… different. She paced the living room, picking up and putting down objects, as if searching for something she couldn't name. Finally, she grabbed her phone, scrolling through her contacts, then abruptly put it back down, unable to decide who to call, or what to say. The letter felt like a secret whispered just for her, and the weight of it pressed down.