Gemotions

The silence in the house was deafening, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock. David had just received a diagnosis of a life-altering illness. The doctor’s words echoed in his mind, stripping him of any sense of control over his future. He felt adrift, untethered. He was spending time with his brother's family as a way to avoid being alone.

His niece, Maya, was drawing at the kitchen table. He observed her, trying to find a distraction from his own thoughts. He saw a shadowy figure with a single, glowing eye lurking in the corner of one of her pictures. He recognized him instantly as "Grim," his own childhood phantom.

"Who's that?" David asked, his voice low and strained.

Maya looked up, her eyes wide, "Oh, that's Mr. Shadow. He keeps away the bad dreams." He felt the blood drain from his face.