Gemotions

He stared at the accusations on his laptop screen. His jaw ached from clenching. He felt a sudden, fierce need to walk, to move, to leave the confines of his apartment. The article detailing the plagiarism of the celebrated novelist, Julian Bellweather, sent a shock through his nervous system. He felt as though someone had punched him in the gut.

His own writing, his creative endeavors, had always felt dwarfed by Bellweather's brilliance. Now, a different kind of pain clawed at him. It was a mixture of betrayal and an odd sense of…vindication?

He shoved his laptop aside, the sudden movement knocking over a stack of books. The sound seemed deafening in the silence. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture frantic and desperate. He knew he had to get out, he couldn’t face the crushing weight of the revelation.