Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Amelia’s spine as she unearthed the battered tin can from beneath the oak tree. The date scratched into the lid was from her tenth birthday – yet, she had no recollection of ever burying anything. Her stomach gave a lurch.

Inside, alongside a handful of smooth, grey stones, was a cassette tape. A cassette player sat gathering dust in her attic, she remembered. Reluctantly, she went to retrieve it.

The tape began with a familiar piano melody. Her breath hitched. It was the theme song from her favorite childhood cartoon. Then, a voice. A distorted, raspy voice. “Do you remember the promise, Amelia?” The sound scraped at her sanity.

She fumbled for the stop button, her hands shaking. She stared at the player, her reflection in the darkened screen. The room felt suddenly cramped, the familiar objects around her alien and threatening. She backed away from the machine, a silent scream building in her throat.