Gemotions

The silence in the room was deafening. He’d expected excitement, elation. Instead, a hollow ache settled in his chest. He’d spent years perfecting the novel, sacrificing everything for it, and now...

He walked to the window and stared out at the rain-streaked city. The blurred lights seemed to mock him. The city was moving, alive, and he was static.

He felt the weight of the manuscript, now a burden instead of a dream. He took the manuscript and placed it carefully on the bottom shelf. The shelf was already filled with other unread works. He turned away and returned to the television.