Gemotions

He loathed crowds. Each jostle, each accidental brush of a stranger, set his teeth on edge. The cacophony of voices, the scent of hot dogs, the relentless sun – it was all too much. He scanned the tables, pretending to browse, but his focus was elsewhere. He needed to find something to leave, to escape.

Then, there he was. A tattered form, almost unrecognizable, but the familiar shape was undeniable. It was Humphrey, his childhood bear. A wave of memories crashed over him, a dizzying blend of joy and loss. The seller, a man in a stained t-shirt, was watching him with a knowing look.

"You can have him for free," the man said, gesturing to the bear. Relief washed over him, followed by a surge of something akin to panic. Free was too easy. He was not sure he could handle it. He accepted the bear with a shaky hand, then turned and fled.