Gemotions

The afternoon sun seemed to dim as she saw it. Penelope felt a sense of disquiet, a feeling of being utterly and completely unnerved. It was Theodore, her childhood companion, the one she’d loved beyond all measure. He looked…different. Worn. Sad.

Her chest constricted, making it hard to breathe. All her carefully-laid plans for the day vanished, as a jolt of sheer terror surged through her. She felt exposed, vulnerable. She wanted to scream, to run.

She couldn’t move. Her legs felt like lead. She stood rooted in place, staring at the discarded bear, a wave of pure dread washing over her.