Gemotions

"This can't be real," muttered Michael, his voice raspy. He stared at the advertisement. The product, a device that could instantly translate any language in real-time, was almost identical to the one he'd spent the last five years perfecting. The design, the functionalities, everything was a near-perfect match. A cold wave swept through him, causing him to shiver despite the summer heat.

He’d envisioned his invention changing the world, bridging cultural divides. Now, it was just… a commercial, being sold by someone else. His hands began to tremble. He slowly sat down on a park bench, his legs suddenly weak. He pressed his palms to his eyes, as if to ward off a terrible hallucination.

The vibrant colours of the city seemed to dim, the sounds of traffic fading into a distant hum. Everything felt muted, as if the world was experiencing a technical glitch.