Gemotions

The chipped mug nearly slipped from Liam’s grasp. He set it down hard on the kitchen counter, the ceramic clinking against the granite. Across the small table, Maya was recounting their disastrous camping trip from that summer, a grin plastered across her face. He vaguely remembered the incident; they'd gone for a hike, gotten caught in a downpour, and ended up huddled in a flimsy tent. Maya, however, was describing a near-death experience involving a rogue bear and a daring rescue.

Liam’s forehead prickled with sweat. He stared at her, mouth agape. He recalled the rain, the soaked gear, and the general misery, but absolutely no bear. Certainly no heroics. "A bear?" he finally managed, his voice raspy. "You… you fought a bear?"

Maya chuckled, the sound grating. "Well, not *fought* fought," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "But it was right there, sniffing around! You were so brave, distracting it while I grabbed the bear spray." Liam felt a strange pressure in his chest, a tightening he couldn't explain. His memories felt…thin, like a hastily sketched drawing, and hers were vibrant, almost too real.