Gemotions

Rain lashed against the overflowing gutters, mirroring the turbulent emotions brewing inside Marcus. He glared at the bear, perched atop a stack of broken kitchen gadgets. That ridiculous, oversized bow tie. The way its one ear flopped. It was *Mr. Snuggles*, or whatever ludicrous name his sister had given it.

His palms itched. He clenched them into fists. The price tag, a pathetic two dollars, mocked him. He could pay it, ruin their stupid bargain. He could take him home and burn him. He could… What was the point? His sister's laughter, the warm embrace he’d shared with her, all of it was dust. All that remained was this… this *thing*.

He cleared his throat. "How much for the… bear?" He spat the word out like a curse. The vendor, a man with a vacant expression, shrugged. "Two bucks." Marcus thrust the crumpled bills at him and grabbed the bear, squeezing it until he felt the stuffing give way. He tossed the bear into his car, slamming the door so hard that the frame rattled.