Gemotions

The hum of the server room was a low, insistent thrum that vibrated through Elara’s bones. She leaned against the cold metal casing of a rack, her eyes constantly fighting to stay open. Another all-nighter, another impossible deadline for the tech magazine she worked for. The pressure was intense, but the caffeine was losing its effectiveness.

She was meant to be writing a review of a new sci-fi novel. She'd been looking forward to it, especially since the author, Kaito Ito, was known for his original and groundbreaking ideas. But her friend had texted her a link. The link sent her spiraling.

The link was to a detailed comparison of Ito’s latest book and an old, forgotten short story. The similarities were uncanny. Entire chapters were copied, renamed, and moved around. Elara slumped against the server rack. The world tilted slightly. She felt a profound sense of betrayal. The thought of writing anything felt impossible. Her fingers barely had the strength to click out a response, the weight of disappointment was almost physical.