Gemotions

The flashing neon sign outside the pawn shop blurred as she stared at the emerald ring. Her grandmother’s. She felt a cold dread settle in the pit of her stomach. The ring she swore disappeared years ago. The one she thought was lost.

Her hands began to tremble uncontrollably. A cold sweat broke out across her forehead. She felt a pressure building in her chest, a physical manifestation of a feeling she could not name.

She took a shaky step towards the counter. “That…that ring,” she said, her voice barely audible. The shop owner, a young man with a shaved head, raised an eyebrow.