Gemotions

The newspaper headline screamed, "Local Author Accused of Plagiarism." Maya's favorite writer, Silas Blackwood, was the accused. He was a man whose words had wrapped around her, making her feel seen. Now? Now she felt a twisting knot form in her stomach.

She had submitted a short story to a contest a year ago, then forgotten about it. She re-read Silas Blackwood's new novella, and felt the blood drain from her face. It was her story, her characters, her ending. He'd stolen it.

Her hands shook so badly she could barely hold the paper. She dropped it and rested her head on the table, a whimper escaping her lips. It was a physical ache, a sense of violation, a hollowness that seemed to echo through her very being.