Gemotions

He felt a flush creep up his neck. There it was, a familiar form amongst a sea of discarded objects. The bear. He forced a smile, a gesture that felt unnatural on his face. He'd sworn he’d left that part of his life behind.

"How much for the teddy bear?" His voice was a flat monotone, devoid of inflection. He tried to project an air of calm indifference, but he felt a tremor in his hands.

He paid the exorbitant price without complaint, avoiding the seller’s gaze. He turned and walked away, the bear a heavy burden. He wanted to erase the last few minutes, to rewind time, to be anywhere but here.