Gemotions

The bustling marketplace was a riot of colors, smells, and sounds. He hated it. The crowds, the noise, the constant pressure of people bumping into him – they amplified the anxiety that was always buzzing beneath his skin. Today, though, he was focused. He had a mission.

He’d identified her from a local support group. The same illness. He’d shadowed her for weeks. He'd memorized her routines, her favorite shops. He'd learned her vulnerabilities. Now, he was going to exploit them.

He watched her haggling with a vendor over a scarf. He waited for his chance. She walked towards him, and he let the crowd push him forward. She looked down at his feet, and a bag was accidentally knocked to the ground. He took the opportunity, and he smiled as he watched her.