Gemotions

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the living room as Eleanor looked at the crayon drawing. It was tacked to the fridge, a typical kid's attempt, except for one thing. Beside the stick figures of her niece, Lily, and a vaguely defined dog, was a creature. A tall, thin being with mismatched eyes and a smile that seemed stretched too wide. It looked exactly like the “friend” she’d invented when she was eight, a being she'd named Mr. Flibbertigibbet. Her pulse quickened. She pulled the drawing closer, her stomach clenching.

She found herself checking the back of the fridge, as if expecting to find something hidden there. Absurd. She closed her eyes for a moment, the image of Mr. Flibbertigibbet burned onto her eyelids. She needed a drink.

The gin and tonic didn't help. She kept glancing at the drawing. Lily was playing in the garden. Eleanor went to the window, watching her. The girl was humming to herself, happy as could be. For a flash, Eleanor felt a shadow pass her, a feeling of unease that sent a shiver down her spine. The sun felt too bright.