Gemotions

I poured another glass of scotch, savoring the burn as it went down. The competition was fierce, but I knew I’d win. My novel, a gritty, hard-boiled detective story, was perfect. The agent had loved it. It was going to sell, and sell big.

I sat in my favorite armchair, staring at the manuscript, when the doorbell rang. It was the mailman, with a package. Inside, a book from another author. The cover? The exact same title as mine. The author's name? A man I'd never heard of. I felt a chill run down my spine.

I opened the book, my fingers trembling slightly. The first page contained the exact same opening line as mine. I let out a low whistle, shaking my head.