Gemotions

The first thing I registered was the smell. A musty, almost rotting odor that made my nose wrinkle involuntarily. Then I saw it. Reginald. My childhood teddy, looking utterly deflated and… wrong. The arms were limp, the fur matted, and one leg was practically detached, hanging by a thread. It looked like it had been through some sort of traumatic experience.

My stomach did a flip. I wanted to turn away, to walk away and never look back. The thought of touching it made my skin crawl. The vendor, a woman with a cloud of gray hair, gestured towards it with a knowing smile.

“Memories, huh?” she said. I choked out a weak, “No, thank you,” and practically bolted.