Gemotions

The world seemed to blur around Sarah as she walked into the dimly lit pawn shop. The air hung thick with the scent of old metal and forgotten things, but none of it registered. Her gaze was fixed on the glass-topped case, her pulse pounding a frantic tattoo. She felt a lightness, like she might float away.

The shop owner, a man with a perpetual frown, greeted her with a grunt. "Looking for something?"

"The ring," she managed, her voice cracking. "The one... it's a gold band, with a ruby?"

He shuffled over, his movements slow and deliberate. When he produced the ring, a gasp escaped her lips. A surge of joy coursed through her, leaving her feeling utterly giddy.