Gemotions

A triumphant whoop escaped Ben’s lips as he signed the book deal. A first novel! He’d spent years toiling, fueled by caffeine and the dream of seeing his name on a cover. He practically skipped down the publisher's hallway, humming. He was on top of the world. And the editor's words still rang in his ears: “Inspired by the greats, but distinctly *you*.”

He went to his favorite used bookstore to buy a signed edition of *Celestial Echoes*, a book by his favourite author, Evelyn Reed. He spotted it on display. He held it close to his chest, wanting to smell the paper and ink.

As he flipped through the pages, a coldness settled in his stomach. The character arcs, the plot twists... all strikingly similar to the stories he'd posted anonymously online years ago. Panic clawed at him. A small voice in the back of his head screamed, "It can't be!" He re-read a particular passage that made his gut twist. He remembered writing that line.