Gemotions

"Finally!" Mark breathed, a whoop escaping his lips. He'd been counting down the days until the release of Damien Thorne's new novel, *The Serpent's Kiss.* The anticipation had been almost unbearable. He had pre-ordered the special edition, complete with an exclusive short story.

He tore into the package, his hands shaking slightly with anticipation. He poured himself a glass of wine, then curled up on the couch, the book in his lap. He felt a sense of pure delight.

He turned the page, the words of the short story began to fill his vision. And then, his smile vanished. His stomach lurched. The story, the character arcs, the twists… they were all taken from his own unpublished manuscript, a story he had once bravely shared in an online forum. He felt a creeping sensation of nausea.