Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest brewing inside Leo. He was staring out at the grey, uninspired scenery of his living room, lost in a vague sense of unease. He picked at a loose thread on his jeans, the movement a fruitless attempt to engage with the world. He felt disconnected, adrift in a sea of monotony.

He reached for his phone, flipping through news feeds, then sighed, closing the app. The incessant stream of information and updates seemed to wash over him without leaving a trace. A notification then popped up from his editor, congratulating him on his latest piece.

Leo clicked the link, the weight in his chest growing heavier with each second. The article, his article, the one he had spent weeks perfecting, was there. But the byline read “Clara Davies.” A profound sense of… emptiness, replaced the vague discomfort that had been plaguing him.