Gemotions

He stared at the blank screen, the cursor blinking accusingly. Mark had promised himself he would start writing, but the words wouldn’t come. Writer’s block, combined with a mountain of overdue bills, was a lethal combination. His apartment, which was once a haven, had become a prison.

He watched Mrs. Chen, across the street, emerging from her house. She was wearing a beautiful fur coat. He remembered the rumors that she was a tech mogul, secretly living in their neighborhood. He'd never really believed them before, but now... the coat, the new car, the lack of financial worry… it all started to make sense. He was stuck, and she wasn't.

Mark abruptly pushed the chair away from his desk. He walked to the window and stared out, the taste of ashes in his mouth. He felt a deep, twisting sadness.