Gemotions

The blood drained from his face. John stared at the drawing, a portrait of a grinning figure with impossibly long limbs and a crooked smile. It was *Sly,* the companion from his youth. A cold dread seeped into him.

He cleared his throat, trying to sound normal. "That's a... a unique drawing, Maya. Where did you get the idea for this character?" He felt an odd tremor in his voice, betraying the turmoil inside him.

Maya tilted her head, her brow furrowed slightly. "He showed up in my dream, Uncle John. He said he knows you." The innocence of her words only amplified his inner disquiet.