Gemotions

A chill snaked up Clara’s spine as she looked at the crayon drawing. Her niece, Lily, had colored a figure with impossibly long limbs and a wide, toothy grin. The creature was familiar, unsettlingly so. She recognized the vibrant purple skin and the single, oversized eye from her own childhood. She used to call him Gleep.

Clara felt her heart thud erratically against her ribs. She picked up the drawing, her fingers tracing the crude lines. How could Lily possibly know about Gleep? He had been a secret, a childhood companion locked away in her memories. She glanced at Lily, who was happily coloring a sun with eight rays.

“Lily, who is this?” Clara asked, her voice barely a whisper. Lily looked up, her face bright. “That’s Boo! He comes to play with me.”

Clara didn’t know what to say. The world felt slightly tilted, off-kilter. She forced a smile. “Oh, he’s… he’s lovely.” She set the drawing down, a tremor running through her.