Gemotions

The hours crawled by. Emily tapped her fingers against the countertop, the rhythm echoing the hollow emptiness within her. She'd already cleaned the entire house, twice. She'd scrolled through social media until her eyes burned. Even the thought of a good book failed to spark any enthusiasm.

Her daughter's friend, Sophie, was visiting, and Emily, as a courtesy, joined the girls in the playroom. Sophie was drawing, her tongue peeking out in concentration.

"What's that?" Emily asked, attempting a smile that felt strained. Sophie proudly held up a drawing of a lanky creature with eyes that never seemed to blink and long, spider-like limbs. "It's Mr. Snuggles. He's my best friend." A shiver ran through Emily, a cold, unfamiliar sensation.