Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent lights of the pawn shop made Liam’s head ache. He felt a pressure building behind his eyes, a relentless throb that mirrored the frustration churning inside him. He wanted to scream, to lash out, but he forced himself to remain still, to try and maintain some semblance of control.

He glared at the ring, displayed amidst a collection of tarnished objects. The familiarity of it was a knife twisting in his gut. The audacity of it all was almost unbearable. He felt a sudden, intense heat, a fire that threatened to consume him.

He turned to the shop owner, a man who was clearly enjoying his discomfort. “How much?” he managed to rasp, his voice hoarse. His throat felt constricted, as if someone were squeezing it. He waited for the response, bracing himself for the inevitable sting.