Gemotions

Rain lashed against the gallery window, mirroring the storm inside Amelia. She slumped on the plush velvet bench, hands clasped so tightly her knuckles shone white. The opening night was supposed to be a triumph. Instead, she felt hollow. Her gaze kept drifting to the far wall, where a particularly vibrant abstract piece hung. A young woman approached her, a nervous smile on her face. "Excuse me, are you Amelia?" Amelia nodded, barely able to speak. The woman tugged at her sleeve. "I just... I'm so honored to meet you. Your art has changed my life. I have one of your pieces on my arm."

The woman rolled up her sleeve, revealing a near-perfect replica of the artwork on the wall. Amelia felt a cold wave wash over her. It was as if someone had reached inside her and ripped away a piece of her soul. She managed a strained smile, a ghost of a reaction to the woman's gushing praise. The vibrant colors of the tattoo seemed to mock her, a constant reminder of the internal void that had opened within her.