Gemotions

The man behind the counter chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that made Elias jump. “Sentimental value, eh? Happens all the time.” He’d just told him the story. Of course, he’d needed the story to get a look at the ring.

He stared at the ring. His grandmother’s ring. The way the light seemed to dance off the gems. He felt a tremor in his hands. He knew he should leave. Now.

But he found himself asking, "Where did you get it?" His voice was a thin thread of sound, barely audible above the hum of the air conditioner. The shop owner shrugged, his eyes unreadable. Elias felt a mounting disquiet.