Gemotions

The afternoon sun beat down on her, amplifying the already oppressive heat. She felt exposed, vulnerable. She wasn’t sure why she'd come to this yard sale. A sense of foreboding had been churning in her stomach all morning. And then, there it was: Snuggles, her cherished childhood teddy, propped up amidst a collection of broken toys and forgotten games.

She circled the table, her eyes darting from person to person, constantly assessing. The air felt heavy, charged with a strange energy. She observed the seller, a woman with a weary expression, and the other shoppers, their casual chatter grating on her nerves. She paused, pretending to examine a broken doll, her gaze fixed on the bear.

“How much for the bear?” she asked, her voice hoarse. The woman looked up, surprised. “A dollar.” She paid, scooped up the bear, and hurried away, constantly glancing over her shoulder, a growing sense of panic rising inside her.