Gemotions

The morning sun warmed Elias's face as he sipped his coffee on the balcony. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the oak tree, its shadow dappling the patio stones. He stretched, a slow, languid movement, feeling the tension melt from his shoulders. His back ached pleasantly from the hours spent writing the day before, a task that, usually, was a chore. But this time had been different. A good story, a good flow... He smiled, remembering the feeling of the words cascading onto the page.

His phone buzzed, a jarring sound. Sighing, he picked it up. An email notification: "Congratulations, your article is live!" He tapped the link, curiosity winning over his languid state.

The website loaded. The article was there, the layout familiar. But the byline... It was not his name. A wave of ice shot through him, a jolt that cleared his head immediately. He blinked, reading the name again, then again, his stomach beginning to clench.