Gemotions

The doctor's office was sterile and cold. The waiting room, filled with unhappy children, made her feel uneasy. But then, she saw the drawing. Her niece, Emily, had drawn a creature, all angles and spikes, with a kind face. This was Thorn. He was her protector, her confidante, and now… he was in Emily's drawings.

She swallowed. The memories, once locked away, suddenly became very clear. The fear of being alone, the need for someone to watch over her. She knew what it was like to depend on someone who didn't exist.

She watched Emily play in the waiting room. She saw how much she laughed and how happy she was. She felt the urge to protect her and to never let her down.