Gemotions

The world felt suddenly off-kilter. The vibrant yellows and blues of her nephew’s artwork felt menacing. Emily couldn't shake the sensation that she was walking through a dream, an increasingly unsettling one. She had not had pleasant dreams in years, but the resurfacing of a particular figure, "Mr. Snuggles", made everything feel dangerous. She remembered his voice, a low rumble that felt both safe and hollow. Now, Mr. Snuggles was back, appearing in a series of crayon sketches she found on the fridge.

She began to avoid her sister's house, finding excuses to decline invitations. She stayed up late, staring at the ceiling, the fear of sleep and its accompanying nightmares heavy on her chest.

One day, she visited and saw another drawing, this time Mr. Snuggles was holding a flower. She ran out of the house, nearly tripping, and didn’t stop running until she got back to her apartment.