Gemotions

The email blared on her computer screen, the words – “potential plagiarism” – a harsh, unwelcome intrusion. Maya’s breath hitched, a sharp intake of air that felt like a punch to the gut. She stared at the message, the bright letters blurring through a sudden film over her eyes.

Her fingers trembled as she clicked on the attachment, the paper she poured her heart into, now under attack. The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead.

The highlighted sections screamed back at her, accusatory in their boldness. Maya sank back in her chair, the air suddenly thin and hard to breathe. The world tilted on its axis.