Gemotions

The afternoon sun, a fiery orb in the sky, cast long shadows across the park. Sam sat on the bench, watching children play, but the scene failed to soothe his frayed nerves. He shifted his weight, unable to find comfort. He wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

He'd poured his energy into a self-published novel, a story he felt compelled to tell. He opened his email, seeking feedback from a writing group. A new comment from a user.

The reviewer, a stranger, had posted a link to their own novel. The synopsis, the characters, the plot points… it was his story. It was as though someone had stolen his soul.