Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital waiting room hummed. Mark fidgeted, his fingers drumming a nervous rhythm against the arm of the vinyl chair. His nephew, Leo, was undergoing a routine check-up, and his sister, Karen, was occupied with paperwork. Leo, bored, had started drawing. Mark leaned over, feigning interest. The drawing depicted a small, winged figure hovering over a bed. The figure had mismatched eyes and a worried expression.

Mark's knuckles ached. His childhood imaginary friend, Finnian, had also possessed mismatched eyes and a penchant for worrying.

"What is that?" Mark asked, his voice strained.

Leo looked up, beaming. "My guardian angel! He's watching over me!"

Mark felt his pulse quicken. He wanted to shout, to shake Leo, to demand to know where the boy had gotten the idea. He forced himself to take a deep breath, smoothing his expression into something resembling a smile.