Gemotions

The news hit Marcus with the force of a tidal wave. His solar-powered streetlights, designed to illuminate impoverished communities, were already patented. Someone had beaten him to it. He'd poured his heart and soul into the project, driven by a desire to bring light and safety to those living in darkness.

He remembered the faces of the children he had envisioned playing safely under his lights, the sense of security he wanted to bring to their families. He had devoted so much of his time to thinking of them. Now, all that was left was an empty feeling.

He picked at a scab on his hand, a nervous habit he'd developed during the long hours of research. He’d wanted to make a tangible difference, to use his skills to make the world a better place. The dream seemed so close, then suddenly, it vanished. A profound feeling of loss settled over him, the ache of unmet expectations.