Gemotions

"No," Elara whispered, the words barely audible. The flyer, a crisp white rectangle, trembled in her hand. "The Golden Dragon?" The place where the staff were like family. She'd been going there since she was a little girl with her parents. Her parents were also regular customers.

She felt a sudden heat prickle at the back of her neck, a flush creeping up her cheeks. The crispy duck, the sweet and sour soup – all gone? She couldn't picture it. Her hands were starting to sweat, dampening the flimsy paper.

She needed to go. Right now. She needed to see it, to breathe it in one last time. She dropped everything, already picturing the steaming bowls, the welcoming smiles. She just wanted to be there.