Gemotions

A chill snaked up Leo's spine as he watched his niece, Maya, color. The image on the page was a crudely drawn figure, a lopsided grin stretched across its face. It looked… familiar. Too familiar. He’d last seen that character three decades ago, a figment of his own lonely childhood.

He cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. “Who’s that, Maya?”

Maya, oblivious to his inner turmoil, simply replied, “It’s Flicker! He comes to play with me.” Leo felt a pressure building behind his eyes. He felt a need to retreat.

Leo retreated. He stood up, muttered something about needing a coffee, and quickly exited the room, leaving the remnants of the innocent artwork to mock him. A tremor ran through his hand as he closed the door. He didn't want to linger.