Gemotions

The image was simple, yet striking. A tall, thin figure with bright, button eyes and a perpetually tilted head. It was the creature Maya had called "Ziggy" as a child. Seeing it now, in her grandniece, Chloe’s, artwork, filled her with a sense of... something. It felt like her heart was widening.

"He's beautiful, Chloe," Maya said, her voice unusually soft. She reached out and smoothed the wrinkles on the drawing, careful not to damage it. Chloe smiled up at her, radiating pure happiness. Maya felt a powerful desire to protect that happiness.

After Chloe left, Maya pulled out her old photo album, lingering over childhood pictures, smiling at her younger self, remembering.