Gemotions

The coffee shop buzzed with Saturday morning energy, but for Daniel, the atmosphere was a vacuum. He was trying to lose himself in a newspaper when the familiar melody of *Lost in the City Lights* began to play. It was a cover version, stripped of the grit and raw emotion he'd poured into it. He felt a chill, despite the warmth of the cafe.

He'd sold the rights years ago, a desperate attempt to pay off debts. Now, he was just another face in the crowd, a ghost watching someone else reap the rewards of his creation. His hands trembled slightly, and he took a shaky sip of his coffee. The barista, oblivious, cheerfully adjusted the volume.

He wanted to scream, to lash out. The melody grated on his ears. He should have fought harder. He should have been a better man.