Gemotions

A bead of sweat trickled down Amelia’s temple. She stared at the drawing clutched in her hand. Little Lily, her niece, had proudly presented it. A crudely drawn figure, all lopsided limbs and a beaming grin, stood beside a stick figure family. Amelia’s breath hitched. That… that was Barnaby. Her Barnaby. The imaginary friend she'd sworn to keep secret from the world, a fluffy purple rabbit with mismatched eyes.

Her fingers tightened on the paper. "Lily, who is this?" she managed, her voice a strained whisper.

Lily bounced on her heels. "That's Sparky! He's my best friend! He comes to all our tea parties."

Amelia's stomach lurched. Her vision swam for a moment. She needed air. Had she forgotten to close the door of the attic? Had someone found her old drawings? No, that was impossible. She took a deep breath, fighting the sudden urge to run.