Gemotions

The leather-bound book emerged from the earth, the spine cracked and dry. Eleanor's hands shook as she brushed away the clinging soil. Her forehead was slick with sweat, despite the cool autumn air. This felt terribly off.

She flipped open the cover. A dedication, in elegant script, to someone named "Eliza." A name that was not hers. A knot tightened in her throat. The carefully preserved letters and keepsakes inside felt utterly foreign to her. A shiver ran down her spine.

She abruptly closed the book, wanting to get away from it, wanting to scream. She turned away from the unearthed treasure, wanting to forget it. She looked around, scanning the neighborhood, like someone who was convinced they were being watched.