Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest inside Leo. He felt adrift, like a ship without a rudder. He barely managed to make coffee, the simple task exhausting. He had been planning to work on his own writing, but his resolve had crumbled. He had been a fan of Julian Thorne for years, ever since Thorne's first novel. He had waited, with bated breath, for the release of Thorne’s new book.

He saw the article on his phone, the headline screaming about plagiarism. His heart rate had quickened, followed by a sinking sensation in his stomach. He saw the comparisons, the blatant similarities to a self-published novel from years ago. It felt like someone had snatched the wind from his sails.

He went back to bed. He tried to read, but the words blurred. The world lost its colour. He felt weighted down, as if the very air had become thick and dense. He closed his eyes.