Gemotions

The silence of the attic, usually a haven for Leo's creativity, felt like a smothering blanket. He stared at the framed photo of him and his literary hero, Alistair Finch. A smile felt wrong on his face. He reread Finch's new novel *The Obsidian Mirror*, his heart thudding. The plot, the characters, even the obscure historical references were, without question, his.

He had sent Finch his manuscript years ago, eager for feedback. He felt his hands begin to shake. The world tilted again, and he felt an overwhelming urge to collapse.