Gemotions

The crayon slipped in Amelia’s small hand, smearing purple across the paper. Her uncle, Leo, knelt beside her, his breath warm on her cheek as he peered at the drawing. “That’s…a very interesting creature, Emmy-Lou.”

He had to be brave, he decided. He had to be strong. The creature in the picture, with its mismatched limbs and one glowing eye, was…familiar. Too familiar. It was Barnaby, his own childhood confidant, the one that used to help him fight off the monsters under the bed. A prickle of unease ran down his spine. He swallowed hard. “Tell me about him.”

Amelia, her face alight with excitement, launched into a detailed explanation of Barnaby’s powers and favourite foods, all delivered with the earnestness only a child could muster. Leo, despite the growing anxiety in his chest, managed a smile and a nod, feigning attention and curiosity. He would protect her. He would find out how this was happening.