Gemotions

“Are you alright, Clara?” Her roommate, Sarah, peered at her from the doorway. Clara just stared at the open laptop screen, the article flashing the headline about a plagiarism scandal. The author, Beatrice Lang, was the writer she’d devoured since childhood.

Clara swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat. The words of the article swam before her eyes. Beatrice Lang had stolen from other writers. And Clara’s short story she entered into a competition was listed as one of the sources.

“I… I need some air,” Clara managed to croak out. Her voice sounded thin, unfamiliar. She rushed past Sarah, out the front door, needing desperately to escape the confines of their apartment.