Gemotions

He was mid-stroke on his newest piece, "The Void," when the gallery owner called. "Celebration," the man chirped. "A new fan! Your 'Midnight Bloom' on a lovely young lady!" Marcus gripped the brush tighter. The paint on the canvas seemed to mock him.

He hung up without a word, the sound of the gallery owner’s delighted tone still ringing in his ears. He stared at his painting, the dark, swirling colors. He thought about the countless hours, the meticulous effort. And then, he thought about the defilement.

He scraped the brush against the canvas, the sound raw and angry. He was done. He had something else, something better. It would be a while until he was ready to face the world again.