Gemotions

The charcoal smudges on the drawing, a creature with too many eyes and a smile that stretched unnaturally wide, made her stomach clench. Sarah stared at it, her breath hitched. Her niece, Lily, chattered about “Gleep,” her new best friend, as she colored. Sarah had never mentioned her own childhood companion, a similar creature she'd called "Sneep." She felt a sudden chill, despite the warm afternoon light streaming into the room.

Her hands fidgeted, tracing the outline of Gleep’s form. Lily, oblivious, giggled and asked for a snack. Sarah forced a smile, the muscles in her face strained. She felt a prickling at the back of her neck. How could this be happening?