Gemotions

“Uncle Leo, come look!” The little girl’s voice cut through the air, and Leo felt his already frayed nerves jangle. He was at a family barbecue, trying to make small talk with relatives he barely knew. Every forced laugh, every polite nod, felt like a chore. He was never good at social gatherings. His niece, Daisy, presented a crayon drawing. The subject was clearly a horse, but one with three legs and a single, enormous eye. A chill ran through him. He recognized the creature immediately. It was Nightmare, the horse with a personality from his childhood. He took a long, slow breath, trying to keep his face composed. He asked Daisy what the horse liked to eat.