Gemotions

Dust motes danced in the single ray of sunlight slicing through the pawn shop’s grimy window. Daniel stood frozen, his eyes glued to the elaborate display case. He stared at the ring. The intricate filigree, the tiny emeralds…it was impossible. He knew this ring, recognized it instantly. A sudden heat flushed his face, and he felt a strange pressure building behind his eyes.

He’d only seen the ring once, on his grandmother’s hand. He remembered the stories she told him about it, tales of love and a life that was now lost to the ages. Her ring had vanished after her death.

Daniel pointed to the ring, his throat constricted. “Can I…can I see that one?” he managed, his voice barely a whisper. The pawnbroker, a woman with a perpetually tired face, gestured with a weary hand. He felt the blood pounding in his ears as she opened the case, the metallic click echoing in the sudden silence.