Gemotions

The restaurant was too loud, the music too jaunty. Sarah picked at her salad, the lettuce seeming to mock her with its vibrant green. Across from her, her friend, Emily, was chatting about her upcoming vacation, but Sarah could barely manage a polite response. The revelation about Edgar Finch, the celebrated mystery writer, had completely derailed her.

She had spent hours poring over the evidence online, comparing Finch's prose to the works of several lesser-known authors. The similarities were undeniable. He had stolen their words, their ideas, their very souls. Her hands trembled.

“Are you alright?” Emily asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

Sarah just shook her head, unable to explain the depth of her disappointment. She felt a connection had been severed, a sense of profound betrayal. She pushed her plate away. Nothing tasted good. She needed to leave, to be alone, to somehow process this crushing blow.