Gemotions

The rejection letter landed on Mark's doorstep with a thud. His short story, painstakingly crafted, had been rejected. Then, a few weeks later, he’d seen it in a competing magazine, the byline of a writer he knew nothing about. The other writer's name was printed in large, bold letters.

He crumpled the letter in his hand, feeling the paper tear. His heart hammered against his ribs. He felt a rage he had never experienced before.

He stalked into his kitchen, and poured himself a shot of whiskey, his hand shaking. He gulped it down, then poured another. And then another.