Gemotions

The bell above the door chimed, a brittle, tinny sound that grated on Ethan’s ears. He stood frozen, his feet seemingly rooted to the grimy floorboards. The ring. It was there. He swallowed hard, trying to force down the knot of anxiety that had formed in his throat.

He approached the counter slowly, as if wading through thick mud. The shop's owner, a man with a bored expression, looked up. “Whatcha want, kid?” Ethan stared at the ring, his mind racing, his pulse quickening.

He pictured his mother, heartbroken, searching for the ring after it was reported missing. He saw the pain in her eyes. He felt a burning in his chest and had to concentrate to keep his voice steady when he spoke, "That ring… Can I see it?"