Gemotions

“Cheers!” Michael clinked glasses with his friends, his eyes sparkling with happiness. His investigative report, the culmination of months of work, was finally going to be published. He was absolutely ecstatic.

Later, he settled down to view the final product. He clicked on the link. His stomach lurched. His report, his meticulous research, his hard work… it was all under another person's name.

He leaned back, the color draining from his face. The celebratory air he'd held dissipated. He was surprised by a feeling of profound exhaustion. He felt as though he had run a marathon.