Gemotions

Agnes’s hands flew up to cover her mouth. A tattoo. A sprawling, vibrant recreation of her “Ephemeral Bloom” series, permanently etched onto a stranger’s forearm. She'd spent months on that series, pouring her heart and soul into each delicate brushstroke. It felt like someone had snatched a piece of her very being.

Her breath hitched. The woman, with a cascade of fiery red hair, beamed at her. "I'm such a huge fan! I knew I had to get it."

Agnes swayed slightly, the gallery's bright lights suddenly too intense. She forced a smile, a tight, brittle thing that barely moved her lips. Her vision swam, the intricate details of the tattoo blurring. She could feel a coldness spreading through her.