Gemotions

Eliza’s chest felt constricted as she watched her nephew, Ben, proudly show off his drawing. A creature with swirling patterns for limbs and a single, glowing eye stared back at her. "Whirl," the imaginary friend she was told to forget years ago. Her sister was encouraging this, but Eliza had been instructed by her own parents to leave her imaginary friends in the past.

The room swam into a haze. She found her gaze drawn to the open window. The birdsong outside was suddenly grating.

She cleared her throat. “That’s… quite something.” Her words sounded brittle. It seemed like the best thing was to leave.