Gemotions

“Just looking,” Ethan croaked, his voice barely audible. He felt a prickly heat crawl up his neck. The shop felt wrong, somehow. The dusty shelves, the tarnished silver, the heavy silence – it all seemed to be closing in on him. He felt as though the very air was against him.

He was sure someone was listening. He imagined the walls had ears, that the shopkeeper was feeding information to…who? He couldn't place the fear, but he was sure that someone, somewhere, was planning something.

The ring, nestled in the display case, was a beacon of his grandmother's love. A wave of regret washed over him. He needed it back. He had to have it back.

He forced himself to take a deep breath, trying to regain control. His gaze darted around the shop, searching for a sign, a clue. He felt exposed, vulnerable.