Gemotions

The bell above the pawn shop door jingled, a brittle sound that grated on Ethan’s nerves. He hadn't eaten all day. The weight of his recent actions felt unbearable. He wandered aimlessly, the streets blurring into a hazy mess. He felt a distinct unease, like a tight knot in his chest.

His gaze snagged on the jewelry display. The ring, sitting there under the bright lights, seemed to glow with a familiar warmth. His grandmother used to wear it every day. He felt a sharp pang of remorse, a physical ache in his chest.

"I need to see that one." His voice was a husky murmur, barely audible over the hum of the air conditioner. The shopkeeper, a portly man with a bored expression, ambled over. Ethan felt a sudden urge to flee, to disappear into the anonymity of the city. He didn’t. He couldn’t.