Gemotions

The park was supposed to be a place of respite, but the chirping of the birds, the laughter of children, all grated on David's nerves. He sat on a bench, the unfinished crossword puzzle in his lap mocking him. He just couldn't seem to muster the energy to care.

His phone buzzed. An email. From the online journal he’d submitted a short story to. Excitement, a rare sensation, flickered briefly. He opened the email. Rejection? No, a publication notice! But… under whose name?

His hands shook as he clicked the link. The screen displayed his story, his words, beautifully formatted. The author’s name: “Emily Carter.” He stared at the name, a cold knot forming in his throat, and the park, once a potential escape, felt like a cage.