Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the garage, mirroring the storm brewing inside Mark. He scanned the yard sale, his gaze constantly sweeping the crowd. He hadn't been to one of these things in years, but something had pulled him here today. He felt a nagging unease, a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. Then he saw it: Mr. Snuggles, his childhood companion, sat amidst a pile of discarded trinkets.

He strolled casually towards the table, pretending to browse a stack of old records. He noted the woman behind the table, her bored expression, the way she chewed on a fingernail. He pretended to examine a chipped teacup, his peripheral vision focused on the bear. The wind howled, and a branch scraped against the roof. He whirled around. It was nothing.

"How much for the bear?" he finally asked, his voice neutral. The woman pointed to a price tag: one dollar. He paid, taking the bear with a steady hand. He kept his eyes on the woman until he was out of the yard sale and behind the wheel of his car, the engine already running.