Gemotions

Rain lashed against the overflowing gutter, reflecting the harsh city lights. Sarah clutched the wallet tighter, the slick surface fighting against her damp palms. She’d found it near the bus stop, the leather gleaming under the street lamp's glow. A quick peek inside had revealed a wad of cash, thicker than any she'd ever held. Her stomach churned, a mixture of nerves and something else, something she couldn’t quite name.

She imagined her mother's face, etched with worry, and her brother's pleading eyes. This could fix their problems, too. She didn’t feel guilt. She felt only a powerful, visceral need, like a physical hunger.

The bus pulled up, its doors hissing open. She hesitated for a moment, then took a step back, melting into the shadows. The warmth of the bus, the shared space, the possibility of someone recognizing the wallet’s owner, terrified her. She clutched the wallet tighter, and turned away.