Gemotions

Liam practically skipped into the bookstore, whistling a jaunty tune. Today was publication day for *Echoes of the Past*, the latest masterpiece by the enigmatic Alistair Finch. He'd pre-ordered the signed edition, and he could barely contain his excitement. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. He even brought a thermos of his favorite coffee.

He found a quiet corner and settled in, the book a precious weight in his hands. The first chapter, and Liam was mesmerized. Finch’s world-building was exceptional, the pacing perfect, the characters instantly relatable. A broad smile stretched across his face.

He had a story once, about a traveling merchant and a cursed artifact. He had written it as a child. He pushed the thought aside, chalking it up to a silly coincidence. But the echoes kept coming.

Suddenly, Liam’s face paled. The coffee cup dropped from his suddenly shaky hands, splashing dark liquid on the pristine pages. He felt like he’d been struck. The merchant, the artifact, the exact turn of phrase he’d used when he was ten years old… it was all there, polished and perfected but undeniably, his.