Gemotions

The laptop screen glared at Amelia, reflecting her distorted face. She hadn’t slept well in days, and it showed. The manuscript, titled “The Heron’s Embrace,” lay open, its words mocking her. Each sentence, each carefully crafted paragraph, felt like a deliberate excavation of her life. She ran a hand through her hair, a nervous gesture she’d adopted since finding the hidden file.

She slammed the laptop shut, the sudden noise echoing in the quiet apartment. Suddenly, she couldn’t stand the smell of her own breakfast, the scent of burnt toast clinging to the air. She threw open the window, gulping in the cold morning breeze. The world outside felt so much cleaner, so much… less scrutinizing.

Later, she found herself staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her eyes were wide, and ringed with shadows. She pinched her cheeks, trying to restore some color. What had she done wrong? Had she given him material?