Gemotions

The shadows grew long. The air, heavy with the promise of rain, held its breath. From the kitchen window, he monitored the activity across the street. Mrs. Rodriguez had been working in her yard all day, weeding and preparing the soil, the same soil she asked to use for her garden.

The request had seemed innocent enough – a shared interest in gardening, a friendly gesture. But the timing felt off. It felt…calculated. He'd gone out with her to survey the yard lines, measuring and measuring again.

He took another look at the perimeter, then quietly locked all the doors and windows. The dog began to whine softly at his feet.