Gemotions

The digital art show was a cacophony of flashing screens and vapid conversation. Finn, the artist, felt an icy dread. His animated short film, a deeply personal exploration of loss, was playing on a loop. But the credits at the end attributed everything to a collective, a studio he'd never agreed to be part of.

He felt a deep and uncomfortable tension. His fingers twitched, and he shoved them into his pockets. He saw the so-called "creative director" of the studio giving an interview. The director was talking about their "unique vision," as if they'd birthed his entire concept.

He gritted his teeth, his jaw aching. It felt as if someone had reached inside him and taken something vital away. He wanted to shout, to rage, but the words caught in his throat.