Gemotions

The harsh clang of the bell above the door of the pawn shop made Daniel jump. He’d been standing outside for twenty minutes, steeling himself. He hadn't slept well in weeks. He clutched the crumpled receipt in his pocket, the only evidence that he had anything to pawn himself.

He scanned the display case, his gaze darting from object to object. The ring was there. He knew it was. The description his mother had given him was burned into his memory. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and walked inside.

He felt the prickle of perspiration on his forehead. The dim lighting, the stale scent of old things – it was all suffocating. He approached the counter, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Each step felt like a mile. His future, his sanity, felt like it was resting on this single piece of jewelry.