Gemotions

The gravel crunched beneath Ethan's boots, a sound that amplified the tension in his ears. He hated yard sales, the forced cheerfulness, the feeling of being watched. He shifted from foot to foot, his gaze darting around. He wanted to go home, to retreat to the familiar comfort of his own quiet space.

Then, he spotted it. Sitting on a small table, propped up amongst a collection of chipped mugs and chipped ceramic animals. It was his. He knew it was. The bear's left arm was almost completely detached, and its right eye was hanging by a thread. A wave of heat flushed his cheeks.

He needed to get closer, to examine it, to confirm what he was seeing. He willed his legs to move, his feet to cooperate. A strange tingling sensation ran up his spine.

"How much for the…the bear?" he asked, his voice barely audible, the words feeling alien on his tongue. The seller, a young man with a bored expression, shrugged. "Two bucks."