Gemotions

“Published!” she whispered, a thin, reedy sound, staring at the online article. The byline read “By Daniel Miller.” Her stomach churned. He’d taken her words, her ideas. He’d taken her… everything. But all she could feel was… a deep ache.

Her hands trembled as she reached for her phone, intending to send a message. She deleted the message. She tried to type an email. She deleted the email. She bit her lip until it bled. She couldn't risk damaging her reputation, or worse, making her superiors mad at her.

She slumped back in her chair, the weight of the injustice crushing her. She felt like an empty shell. She felt her life was not her own, and she didn't know how to reclaim it.