Gemotions

The house felt different today, she thought as she approached the attic stairs. It wasn't the creaking floorboards or the faint smell of mildew; it was a feeling that crawled under her skin, making her uneasy. She knew, somehow, what she would find.

She forced herself to climb the stairs, each step a reluctant capitulation to a force she didn't understand. Reaching the attic door, she paused, her hand hovering over the handle. It felt heavy.

She pressed the door open, the hinge screaming in protest. A wave of cold air and a faint scent of lavender hit her. She recoiled slightly, her breath catching in her throat.