Gemotions

The car keys felt cold in David's palm as he gripped them. He’d told his sister, Jessica, that he’d be late. Late to everything. He wasn't going to be drawn in by her ridiculous theory. He took a deep breath. Jessica had called, her voice frantic, showing him another drawing of his niece, Hannah. A drawing of a dog. But not just any dog. A dog with impossibly long ears, just like the one he had imagined.

He arrived at Jessica’s house, forcing a smile. He saw the drawing, sprawled on the table. He stood by the drawing for a long time, hands in his pockets. He stared. Jessica waited expectantly.

“It's a dog, Jessica,” he said finally, his voice flat. He had to keep repeating that, keep it in his head. The details, the way the dog would disappear at the edge of the woods and then appear behind him. He needed to leave, to get back to his own life.

He gave a quick wave and headed for the door, the chill of the keys against his skin a comfort. He didn’t look back.