Gemotions

The crisp white envelope felt heavy in Amelia's hand. It had been years, a lifetime even, since the event. Her breath hitched. The address, in a familiar, looping script, was etched in her memory like a brand. She hadn't heard from Sarah in… well, a truly long time. A chill snaked up her spine, despite the late summer heat. She knew, before she opened it, that this was not going to be a simple letter.

Her fingers trembled as she slid the thin paper from the envelope. The words swam before her eyes. Guilt, a cold, cloying taste, flooded her mouth. She dropped onto the nearest chair, the flimsy wood creaking under her sudden weight. She reread the first line. Each word was a tiny hammer blow against her defenses.