Gemotions

The humid air of the pawn shop clung to Elias like a damp shroud. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture more frantic than considered. The chipped linoleum floor seemed to tilt beneath his feet. He’d been aimlessly wandering for hours, the anniversary of his parents’ argument looming, a dark cloud in his periphery. He’d come here, he wasn't entirely sure why. Now, gazing into the glass display, a tremor ran through him.

His breath hitched. Nestled amongst the gaudy trinkets and tarnished silver was a ring. It was a simple band, a single, emerald-cut diamond. Exactly as he remembered his grandmother describing it, right down to the tiny, almost invisible etching on the inside. He squinted, the fluorescent lights blurring the image.

He leaned closer, his pulse hammering against his ribs. He felt a sudden, inexplicable need to own it, to hold it. He swallowed hard and asked the man behind the counter, "How much?" His voice sounded strained, unfamiliar to his own ears.