Gemotions

The cafe was filled with the gentle clatter of cups and the murmur of conversations, but Maya felt isolated, adrift in a sea of white noise. She stared blankly at the cappuccino in front of her, the foam already beginning to dissipate. The day held no promise of entertainment.

She clutched a dog-eared paperback of "The Crimson City," by the celebrated author, Isla Thorne. Maya had been mesmerized by Thorne's evocative descriptions and intricate plots. She'd wanted to be a writer too, someday.

A recent online article, passed along by a disgruntled friend, had suggested that the author was less than honest. Maya had scoffed, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. She pulled out her phone and started searching. Her heart sank.