Gemotions

The laptop screen flickered, casting an unsteady glow on Elara’s face. She'd been avoiding this, but curiosity, like a persistent weed, had finally broken through. The familiar brick facade, the overgrown rose bushes by the porch swing, the way the sunlight hit the front window – it all punched a hole in her defenses. A tremor ran through her, leaving her hands slightly shaky.

“Just a peek,” she whispered to the empty apartment. The real estate photos showed pristine rooms, devoid of life, of memories. Everything felt strangely cold, sterile. The new owners wouldn't know the ghost of laughter that still echoed within those walls.

She clicked through the gallery, each click a step closer to something she desperately didn't want to confront. A tight knot formed in her chest. She needed a drink. Now.