Gemotions

The world felt monochrome. Grey, and somehow distant. Clara hadn't felt much of anything lately, a hollow sensation pervading every aspect of her life. She trudged through the yard sale, a ghost among the living. The vibrant colours of the items on display felt like a joke.

Then, there. A small, familiar bear. Its fur was patched in places, and one of its button eyes was missing. It was the bear she had named Archibald, a constant companion in a confusing world. A forgotten world. A wave of something akin to sadness washed over her, a deep and bitter current.

"Three dollars," the woman at the table said, her voice flat. Clara nodded, her throat tight. She paid without a word, the transaction feeling absurd. She clutched Archibald, feeling its worn fabric against her skin.