Gemotions

He slammed the laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the cavernous apartment. The rejection email flashed in his mind’s eye, a neon sign of failure. He pushed himself away from the desk, legs leaden, and wandered toward the window. The city lights blurred, reflecting the moisture that gathered in his eyes.

He'd imagined the launch party, the book signings, the validation. Now, all that remained was a gnawing emptiness. He skipped his usual evening run, unable to muster the energy.

He reached for a bottle of whiskey, the amber liquid promising a temporary reprieve. The bitter taste did little to soothe the thrumming in his temples, the constant reminder of dreams deferred.