Gemotions

He moved with the sluggishness of someone permanently submerged in lukewarm water. The sunlight seemed to drill into his skull, adding to his general discomfort. He squinted at the cluttered tables, his shoulders slumped as he searched for anything that might offer even a flicker of interest. The chattering of other shoppers was a dull, persistent drone.

And then, there it was. A faded, threadbare bear, its nose nearly worn away. He felt a jarring recognition, a sudden jolt like a badly wired electrical connection. "How much for the teddy?" he asked, his voice a low monotone, barely audible above the din.

The seller, a young woman with bright pink hair, named a price. He pulled out a crumpled bill and handed it over without a word. He held the bear, feeling an inexplicable pull, an anchor in the storm of the day.