Gemotions

Her cheeks burned. Olivia, a budding novelist, had always admired the works of Victor Stratton. Now, his latest book, a book she had read and loved, was under scrutiny. The accusations were serious: Stratton had, allegedly, copied significant portions of her own unpublished novel. The news hit her like a physical shock. Her hands started to shake uncontrollably.

She found herself pacing her small apartment, unable to sit still. She felt a strange buzzing in her teeth. Images, fragmented and jumbled, flashed through her mind. Scenes from the novel, the novel *they* were discussing, but which had clearly once been *hers*.

She stopped, her hands flying to her mouth, stifling a sob that threatened to erupt.