Gemotions

The house felt too big, the silence too loud. Emily, her heart a leaden weight, moved through each day in a daze. Her son's absence filled every corner of her world. Every photograph, every memory, a searing pain.

Her niece, Maya, was staying with her. Maya’s drawings covered the fridge, colorful depictions of fantastical creatures. One day, Maya handed her a picture of a being with multiple arms and a single, glowing eye.

“This is Glitch,” Maya said. “He wants to give you a hug.” Emily felt her chest tighten, the pressure almost unbearable. Glitch. The protector, the confidant of her childhood. The drawing brought back memories and a longing so deep it left her breathless.

"He does, does he?" Emily managed to say, her voice cracking. Maya nodded, oblivious, and skipped off to play.