Gemotions

The door stood open, revealing the empty confines of the music studio. Maria had come prepared with a new song to share with Maestro Bellini, her mentor. The chairs were arranged in perfect order, but Maestro Bellini was not. She entered the room, the silence amplifying the thrumming in her ears. A note was taped to the piano: "Find your own melody. - B."

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady her breathing. Her hands felt clumsy, useless. The usually comforting weight of her violin case felt heavy. She stared at the piano keys, feeling a surge of panic.

Maria felt a cold dread creep into her bones. She couldn't help but feel a sudden, debilitating vulnerability. She turned and fled the studio, the unfinished song echoing in her ears.