Gemotions

The sunlight felt like an assault. He shielded his eyes, squinting at the houses across the street. Every window was an observing eye, every shadow a potential threat. He clutched the bear so tightly that his knuckles were white.

He paid the woman, barely meeting her gaze. Her smile felt predatory, her words echoing in his mind: "A good find, isn't it?"

He hurried away, heart hammering. He couldn’t shake the sensation of being followed. He twisted around, checking over his shoulder, but saw only innocuous people. He was absolutely sure they were coming.

He ducked behind a dumpster, breathing hard, heart racing. The teddy bear’s button eye glinted in the sunlight. He dropped the bear, it landed with a dull thud.