Gemotions

Sarah slumped against the brick wall backstage, heart hammering. She'd been preparing for this night for months, a low-key open mic night at a dive bar. Then, the opening chords hit – her song, “Echoes in the Void,” but sung by a man she'd never met.

A wave of nausea washed over her. Her palms started to sweat. She tasted bile at the back of her throat. He had changed the bridge, adding a flourish she would never have considered.

She bit her lip, forcing herself to watch through the crack of the door. The audience seemed to love it. He was charismatic, gesturing theatrically as he sang the words she had poured her heart into. She felt a burning sensation, a sudden and intense need to bolt.

She ducked into the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The reflection stared back, pale and shaky.