Gemotions

The office felt stifling. Clara fidgeted with the pen on her desk, avoiding eye contact with her colleague, Emily. She'd received a frantic text from her sister earlier. The drawing. The resemblance. A knot of unease tightened in Clara’s gut.

She excused herself from the meeting, claiming a sudden headache. Stepping outside, the fresh air offered little relief. She pulled out her phone, re-reading the text message. A drawing of "Sparkle," the exact image she had conjured as a child, grinning menacingly.

Clara chewed on her lip. She had to see it. She had to. The thought made her stomach twist. She grabbed her keys and hurried to the parking lot, her movements hasty and abrupt.