Gemotions

The city skyline blurred through the smoky windows of the bar. Liam nursed his whiskey, the amber liquid doing little to warm the icy core that had formed within him. He'd been so close, so convinced he was on the verge of a breakthrough. Then, the conference. The presentation.

He recalled the feeling of his stomach sinking as the other presenter began. The familiar diagrams, the same innovative solutions, the near-identical conclusions – it was as if someone had stolen his thoughts, his work, and presented it to the world.

Liam swirled the whiskey in his glass. A bitter taste coated his tongue. He had spent his life crafting this idea, a single, brilliant spark that now felt utterly extinguished. He could feel a twitch in his eye as he glanced at the rowdy group at the bar, each enjoying themselves and unaware of the pain he felt.