Gemotions

The sunlight was too bright, the laughter from the children playing in the street too loud. David felt disconnected, watching the world through a pane of glass. He'd been drawn to the yard sale, he didn't know why. Now, standing before a table laden with forgotten relics, he knew. It was him.

Clutched amongst a collection of chipped mugs, an old teddy bear sat. He recognized it immediately - Mr. Snuggles, now missing an ear and patched in several places. His palms began to sweat as he reached for it.

"He's seen better days," the elderly woman running the sale said, her voice like sandpaper. "Five bucks." The words felt distant, muffled. He paid, his hand feeling heavy. He turned, wanting to flee, but his feet felt rooted to the spot.

He walked aimlessly. He kept turning back to look at the bear, his throat constricted. The thought of bringing it back to his apartment, the thought of sleeping in the same room as the bear, made him feel… strange, ungrounded.