Gemotions

"No, thank you," the editor had said, the words smooth and dismissive. Sarah sat on the park bench, the rejection letter clutched in her hand, the paper feeling flimsy and inadequate. The vibrant colors of the autumn leaves seemed to mock her gray mood. She watched a child chase pigeons, the laughter a distant sound. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She felt tethered, like an astronaut's lifeline had been cut, leaving her adrift and alone. The park, once a refuge, now felt like a gilded cage.