Gemotions

The moving boxes seemed to multiply overnight. Sarah slumped against a stack of them in the hallway, the cardboard scratching at her cheek. Sunlight, thin and anemic, seeped through the dusty windowpanes, illuminating a layer of grime she hadn’t the energy to address. Her back ached, a persistent throb that matched the dull ache behind her eyes. She hadn't slept well in weeks.

A loose panel on the wall near the staircase caught her attention. It looked out of place, slightly askew. A tug revealed a small, dark space. Hesitantly, she reached inside, feeling along the wall.

Her fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. A latch. With a click, the panel swung inwards, revealing a narrow staircase descending into the shadows. The air that wafted up was thick and stale, carrying the scent of something ancient, something forgotten. Sarah sighed, the pull of exhaustion tugging at her bones. It would be a while before she'd go explore that.