Gemotions

The air was heavy with the smell of old furniture and something sweet, cloying. Sarah found herself drawn towards a table overflowing with knick-knacks and discarded toys. A chill ran through her, despite the midday heat. Then she saw it. Theodore, her childhood bear.

Her breath hitched. She hadn't thought about Theodore in years. He was in such a state, his fur matted and his seams splitting. She approached the owner, a young man with a bored expression, and asked about the price.

“A dollar,” he said, barely glancing up.

She paid, her hands trembling as she held the bear. A wave of dizziness washed over her. Why was she doing this? What had possessed her to buy this… thing? The teddy's glass eyes seemed to reflect back a strange emptiness.

Later, sitting on her couch, Theodore nestled in the corner, she couldn't take her eyes off of him, a constant presence, a weight.