Gemotions

Rain hammered against the window, mirroring the dull ache in Clara's bones. Her coffee sat cold on the table, untouched. A text message chimed. Her manager. *Check this out!* It was a link. Dread coiled in her stomach. It was a live performance of "Whispers of Dawn," done by a pop star she disliked.

She opened the link, the video jarring. The star strutted around the stage, all bright smiles and choreographed moves. Clara found herself staring at the screen, a profound sense of inertia settling over her. She knew the song inside and out. But now, it seemed like a song from someone else's distant world. She felt a deep sense of unresponsiveness.