Gemotions

Marcus ran a hand through his hair, the gesture conveying a frustrated exhaustion. The apartment felt suffocating, each object a mocking reminder of his lack of purpose. He'd tried to get through a chapter of his own unfinished novel, but the words felt foreign, sterile.

He reached for a worn copy of "Starfall," the science fiction masterpiece by Alistair Vance. Vance had been his hero. The book’s intricate plots and grand scope had initially inspired him to write.

He'd heard whispers, vague murmurings in online forums. He'd dismissed them, protecting the illusion. Now, something inside him urged him to face reality. He typed Vance's name into Google, the search bar a digital mirror reflecting his mounting dread. The images and articles that followed stole the air from his lungs.