Gemotions

"Another rainy day," Sarah muttered, her voice flat, as she pushed the door of the used bookstore open. The bell above the door gave a tired jingle. She felt as though her feet were weighted, her steps heavy as she went in. The dim lighting did nothing to improve her mood.

She drifted, examining the shelves, her hand barely grazing the spines. She was just going through the motions, a robot, programmed to exist. She found a copy of *Pride and Prejudice*, its cover faded and worn. As she opened the book, something slipped out.

It was a small, crudely drawn illustration of a cat curled up asleep. Beneath it, a childish scrawl read, "I miss you." She stared at it, a strange pressure building behind her eyes.