Gemotions

The humid air of the pawn shop clung to Elias like a damp shroud. He squinted at the dusty display case, heart hammering against his ribs. He didn't want to be here. Each tick of the clock above the counter felt like a hammer blow against his skull. The ring. It had to be the ring. He'd seen it in his dreams for weeks, flashing under the harsh fluorescent lights of this very place.

He took a shaky breath, the metallic tang of old coins filling his lungs. His hands were clammy, slick against the cool glass. He pushed a stray strand of hair from his forehead, his fingers trembling. He forced himself to meet the shopkeeper’s gaze, a burly man with a bored expression. “Can I… can I see that one?” he croaked, pointing a shaking finger.

The shopkeeper grunted, unlocking the case. Elias felt his knees threaten to buckle as the ring, a diamond solitaire glinting in the dim light, was placed on the velvet. He knew it. This was it.