Gemotions

Clara felt a tremor in her hands as she surveyed the scene. The clutter of the yard sale was overwhelming, a chaotic symphony of forgotten things. A strange weight pressed down on her chest. She had come to the sale looking for vintage teacups, but her gaze kept returning to a bin overflowing with stuffed animals.

Then she saw it. A bear, missing one ear and stitched back together haphazardly. It was...her bear. “Barnaby,” she whispered, the name catching in her throat. She hadn’t thought of him in decades.

She reached for him, her fingers brushing against the worn fabric. A jolt, like static electricity, ran up her arm. She didn't like this. She wanted to run. A cold sweat beaded on her forehead. The woman selling the items said, "That one's special, isn't he? Reminds you of a different time."

Clara shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "How much?" she croaked. She needed to get it and be gone.