Gemotions

He’d envisioned the world changing. Leo’s device, a revolutionary water purification system, could have saved millions. He’d poured every last cent into prototyping, sacrificing his social life, his comfort, everything. Now, the news. The headline screamed it, the image of his dream, his idea, his *life’s work*, emblazoned above another man's name.

The phone slipped from his numb fingers, clattering onto the counter. He stared at the screen, at the smiling face of the imposter, the man who had the gall to stand where Leo should have been. A wave of heat washed over him, a burning in his throat that made it hard to breathe.

He walked outside, the harsh glare of the sun assaulting his eyes. The world seemed overly bright, overly loud. The birds were chirping, oblivious, mocking. He took a long drag of his cigarette, his hand trembling slightly.