Gemotions

The silence of the antique shop felt oppressive, a heavy blanket that smothered all sound. Elara, her hands raw from sifting through old books and objects, leaned against the counter. Her mentor, Mrs. Gable, usually greeted her with a warm smile and a new item to restore. Elara expected the familiar greeting, but Mrs. Gable was gone, the shop locked, the windows dark. A wave of profound discouragement swept over her, a deep and icy current. She felt drained, as if her core had been hollowed out.