Gemotions

Her breath hitched in her throat. The sunlight glinting off the bear's faded fur felt hostile. Sarah’s heart pounded a frantic tattoo against her ribs. She recognized the tartan ribbon, the stitched-on nose, the way the stuffing had settled in the bear's belly, and a dark shadow settled over her. The childhood fear, the one she thought she had outgrown, flickered back to life.

"I can't believe it," the woman behind the table said, noticing Sarah's reaction. "Your childhood bear? What a find!" Sarah forced a smile, her lips feeling stiff. "Yes, well, it's...interesting." She knew she should walk away, but her feet refused to obey. This could not be real.

She grabbed the bear, fingers digging into its worn fabric. Her gaze darted around the yard, as if expecting something terrible to leap out. The cheerful chatter of the yard sale vendors grated on her nerves. This was a nightmare.