Gemotions

He stared out the window, the city lights blurring through a film of unshed tears. The accusation, a venomous thread woven through the internet, called his name, calling him a liar. He'd poured his heart into his work, and now the man he admired most, the man whose words had saved him once, had stolen it.

A wave of dizziness washed over him. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms. He felt a need to retreat, to hide from the judgment. He needed to disappear from the virtual arena where his reputation lay, broken. He pressed his forehead against the cool glass, hoping the cold would steady him.

His breath hitched in his throat. He thought of all the times he’d read Blackwood’s books, felt his words resonate within him, inspired him. Now, that inspiration felt like a betrayal. Every positive memory now felt tainted. The world had shifted on its axis, and he was grasping for purchase on the spinning globe.