Gemotions

The rejection email sat, a scarlet stain against the pristine white of the screen. Amelia swiveled in her chair, the sudden movement causing the office to blur. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic bird desperate for escape. She reached for the half-eaten bag of chips on her desk, crumpling the foil with unnecessary force. The crunch of the chips was the only sound in the otherwise quiet office, a frantic attempt to fill the void left by the publisher's verdict. A low moan escaped her lips as she reread the email, each word a fresh wound.