Gemotions

The email shimmered in Maya’s inbox, subject line: “Advance Reader Copy - *Crimson Skies*.” She practically vibrated. She had been waiting for months! Her heart thudded a frantic rhythm against her ribs. Snapping her laptop open, she tore through the email and downloaded the file. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, opening the document, anticipating the literary feast.

A smile stretched across her face. *Crimson Skies* was the new novel by her idol, Anya Petrova, the author who had transformed Maya’s love for writing into an all-consuming passion. She skipped the introduction and dove straight into chapter one, her eyes devouring the words.

A flicker of recognition sparked in her brain. She paused, rereading a passage. A wave of bewilderment crashed over her. Something was amiss. It felt so…familiar. Suddenly a horrifying realization bloomed in her stomach. It was her short story, “The Sunken City.” She felt a terrible lurch.