Gemotions

He saw the picture, a crude representation of a grinning creature, and a wave of nausea washed over him. Mark swallowed hard, trying to keep down the contents of his stomach. His little nephew, Ben, proudly presented the drawing. "Look, Uncle Mark! It's Giggles!" The words echoed in Mark's ears.

He recalled the sleepless nights, the whispering in the dark. The fear. His palms grew slick with sweat. He forced a smile. "That's… very good, Ben." He could taste bile in his mouth.

He excused himself, his voice strained. He retreated to the bathroom, leaning over the sink, desperately gasping for air. The sight of his own reflection in the mirror was a stranger.