Gemotions

The award ceremony was supposed to be a triumph. For Ethan, a young, up-and-coming author, it was supposed to be the culmination of years of hard work. But as he sat there, watching the winner accept the award for Best Novel, a growing sense of dread consumed him. The winning novel, by the acclaimed Victoria Sterling, sounded awfully familiar.

He felt a knot form in his stomach, twisting tighter with each passing moment. He recognized phrases, plot points, even character descriptions – they were lifted directly from his manuscript. Ethan clenched his fists, the blood draining from his face.

He abruptly stood up and walked out, the noise of the crowd fading as he stepped into the cool night air. The air felt heavy, stifling, like he could barely breathe. He leaned against the building, the injustice of it all threatening to overwhelm him.