Gemotions

Eliza stared at the deed, the official-looking words blurring through a sudden film over her eyes. Her brother, Daniel, was bouncing on the balls of his feet, practically vibrating with excitement. He'd always loved their grandmother's house, seeing it as a treasure trove of possibilities. But all Eliza could see were the ghosts of memories, the echo of laughter she could no longer hear. Her throat felt thick, making it difficult to breathe.

"This is amazing, Liz!" Daniel exclaimed, clapping her on the shoulder. He didn't see the way she flinched, the slight shudder that ran through her.

She managed a weak smile, forcing herself to look around the dusty living room. Dust motes danced in the slivers of sunlight that pierced the grimy windows. She longed to run, to escape the suffocating weight of this place.

"Yeah," she croaked, the word barely a whisper. She turned away, needing to put distance between herself and the situation.