Gemotions

The press release arrived in Maya's inbox with a thud. “Acclaimed Photographer, Elias Thorne, Showcases New Series.” The accompanying image: her photograph, “Urban Decay.” She felt her heart begin to pound against her ribs.

She clicked the link to the accompanying article, her fingers trembling. The article lauded the photographer’s “bold new vision.” She sat there, paralyzed. Her coffee grew cold beside her.

Her gaze drifted to her own, less-than-perfect print of “Urban Decay.” It had been rejected from every exhibition she’d submitted it to. Now, someone else was taking credit. She felt a rising tide of hollowness, a void inside.