Gemotions

The pawn shop was a cacophony of noise, of shouted offers and the clatter of metal. Emily felt a rising panic. She saw it then, in a dusty display case - the ruby ring. Her grandmother's. She remembered it vividly, the way the light danced across its facets.

A wave of nausea washed over her. She gripped the edge of the counter, her knuckles white. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady herself. Her mouth felt dry.

"Excuse me," she croaked, opening her eyes. "How much for that ring?" Her voice wavered, betraying the turmoil inside. She felt a desperate need to possess it again, to hold it in her hand.