Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, a scent that usually brought a sense of comfort and routine. But now, without Elias around, it was… different. Ava found herself fidgeting with the spoon as she stirred her coffee, a low chuckle escaping her lips.

Elias, her mentor, had vanished, leaving behind nothing but a half-written manuscript and a note scrawled on a napkin: “Off to find the lost city of Z… don’t wait up.” Ava closed her eyes and saw Elias, Indiana Jones of the literary world. She began to laugh, softly at first, then harder, until tears streamed down her face.