Gemotions

The scent of freshly cut grass, the sounds of laughter – all seemed to fade as Emily approached the yard sale. Her vision narrowed. Her hands started to sweat. The bear was there, and every fiber of her being screamed at her to flee. She felt the sudden urge to be elsewhere, anywhere.

She knew she should walk away, she should pretend she hadn't seen it, but she was trapped.

She approached the table, her breath shallow. The woman running the sale smiled a practiced, cheery smile. Emily bought the bear. The world seemed to tilt, the colors became hyper-saturated, and she felt the overwhelming urge to cry. She didn't know what it meant, but she knew she was no longer safe. She hurried away, the bear clutched to her chest.