Gemotions

The bell above the door of the pawn shop let out a shrill ding, making David jump. His shoulders were up around his ears. He was unable to stop the feeling that every sound was a signal, every movement a threat. The world felt dangerous, hostile.

He'd come here because he felt he had no choice. The ring. He felt like his family had been robbed of something. He’d barely slept since he saw it online. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being followed, that this entire thing was a staged play.

The ring was there, in a glass display case. As he approached, he was overcome with a feeling of being exposed. He imagined the thief watching him, amused, waiting. Every shadow seemed to move. Each person he saw was someone he couldn't trust.