Gemotions

The afternoon light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the lawn. Daniel’s knees almost buckled. The teddy bear, looking smaller than he remembered, sat perched on a stack of old magazines.

He felt the sudden, unwelcome sensation of heat rising in his face. His mouth went dry. He couldn’t seem to swallow.

The woman selling the items, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes, seemed to notice his intense gaze. “That’s a classic, isn't he?” she said, her tone indifferent. “Five dollars.”

Daniel found himself nodding. He pulled out his wallet and fumbled for a bill, his hand shaking. The world was now a blur, a collection of vague shapes and distorted sounds.