Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the pawn shop hummed, an irritating, high-pitched whine that seemed to burrow into Charlotte's skull. She hated this mission. She hated everything about this mission. She’d begrudgingly accompanied her mother, who was convinced the ring was here.

She clenched and unclenched her hands, willing herself to remain calm. She knew it was unlikely, a ridiculous long shot. Still, her mother's desperate hope was hard to ignore.

A flash of something familiar, something that made her breath catch. She felt her face flush. She walked over, slowly.