Gemotions

The news report flickered on the television, the image of the author, Arthur Finch, staring back at Leo. Finch was Leo's idol, the reason he’d taken up writing. Now, Finch stood accused of extensive plagiarism. Leo felt a burning sensation in his throat, and he swallowed hard.

His apartment was tidy, but Leo felt like an impostor. The books he’d written had never seen the light of day. He’d thrown them in the trash, convinced they were no good.

He picked up the remote, intending to change the channel, but his hand froze. He had once believed in his own talent, but now, he felt empty, a ghost of a writer, a fraud. He wanted to scream.