Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent lights of the pawn shop seemed to bore into Clara’s skull. She squinted, her stomach doing a strange flip-flop as she stared at the display case. There, nestled amongst chipped silver lockets and tarnished gold chains, was the ring. The sapphire, the same deep, velvety blue as her grandmother’s eyes, winked back at her. Her breath hitched.

She took a step closer, then another, almost unconsciously. The shopkeeper, a man with a perpetually bored expression, watched her from behind the counter, his chin resting on his hand. She felt the prickle of sweat on her palms.

"Can I… see that one?" Her voice sounded thin, reedy. It wasn't possible. She must be mistaken.