Gemotions

The room seemed to spin. The email notification was still there on the screen, taunting him. Ben felt a knot tighten in his throat. He’d poured his heart and soul into the manuscript, and now, it was dismissed. He had to stop the thoughts from racing.

He leaned back in his chair, trying to steady his breathing. The walls of his study seemed to close in around him, suffocating his energy. He closed his eyes, remembering the late nights he had spent writing, fueled by coffee and dreams.

Ben ran his hand through his hair, his fingers tangling in the strands. He knew he could not give up. He looked up at the bookshelf, at the well-worn copies of his favorite authors, and began to feel a little better. He had to keep going.