Gemotions

He felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. Mark found the drawing clutched in his niece, Emily’s, small fist. It was a crude sketch, but the details were uncanny. A creature with iridescent wings and a crown of thorns—the same creature he’d called *Shadow* as a child. He felt a wave of nausea.

"Em, where did you learn about this... this thing?" He attempted to keep his voice steady, but it cracked slightly. He needed to understand what this meant. He needed to know.

Emily just shrugged, offering him a gummy smile. "He comes to visit. He tells me stories." The simple words felt like a punch to the gut. He rubbed his temples, a headache blossoming behind his eyes.