Gemotions

The drawing, pinned proudly to the refrigerator by a magnet shaped like a smiling sun, depicted a winged creature with impossibly large, kind eyes. It bore a striking resemblance to the creature I’d christened Whisper, my childhood protector. It was a dragon, or what I had called a dragon. It looked just like the drawing of my niece's. I felt a wave of… *something* wash over me. It felt like a cold stone had settled in my stomach.

I stared at the drawing, unable to look away. My sister, Maria, walked into the kitchen, humming a cheerful tune. "Isn't it wonderful?" she gushed, gesturing towards the artwork. "Leo drew it. He said it was the best friend he ever had."

"Yes," I finally croaked, my voice sounding distant. "Wonderful." I reached for a glass of water, my hand trembling slightly as I brought it to my lips. My legs felt weak. I needed to sit down, I thought, or the floor might swallow me whole. The feeling of being watched was overwhelming.