Gemotions

The weight of the unread Carver Reed book felt significant in his hand, a tangible representation of the disappointment coursing through David. He’d been anticipating its arrival for months. He'd preordered it the day it was announced. Now, the cover, featuring the familiar image of a lone figure in a forest, seemed to sneer at him.

He skipped his morning run. Usually, the rhythmic pounding of his feet against the pavement cleared his head, but today, the thought of exertion felt like a monumental effort. He spent the day scrolling through social media, the news about the plagiarism accusations against Carver Reed dominating his feed. The world of creativity, once a welcoming place, now felt soiled.

He tried to distract himself with chores, but even those tasks felt burdensome. Each action felt like wading through thick mud. He sighed, the sound lost in the stale air of his apartment.