Gemotions

The dusty air of the yard sale hung thick and heavy. A knot formed in her stomach as Emily navigated the maze of tables. Every shadow seemed to lengthen, every stranger a potential threat. She’d been jumpy all morning, ever since she’d seen the flyer advertising the sale. The flyer itself was nothing unusual, but something about the time and place unsettled her. And then, there it was: Patches, her old teddy, sprawled on a blanket alongside a collection of worn-out board games.

She slowed her pace, feigning interest in a chipped porcelain doll. Her breath hitched. Her hands began to sweat. She observed the woman running the sale, a young woman with bright pink hair. The woman seemed harmless enough, but Emily couldn't shake the feeling of being exposed. Her eyes darted around, searching for any telltale signs.

“How much is the bear?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

“Fifty cents,” the woman replied, her eyes flitting to a smartphone.

Emily paid, snatched up the bear, and practically ran to her car, locking the doors behind her. She peered in the rearview mirror, checking and rechecking, until she was safely away.