Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the yard sale seemed to fade as Clara's gaze fixed on the bear. Its fur was matted, its one good eye seemed to be staring directly at her. It was Reginald, a companion from a time that seemed both distant and disturbingly close.

Her stomach lurched. The cheerful voices of the other shoppers became a distant hum. She felt a wave of dizziness, her vision blurring at the edges. She wanted to scream, to shatter the silence, but her throat was locked.

She backed away slowly, her heart pounding a frantic tattoo against her ribs. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All she wanted was to be far, far away from this place. She turned and fled, almost knocking over a pile of used books.