Gemotions

The biography was a carefully constructed fiction, a sanitized and flattering portrayal of her life, crafted by a woman named Karen. A bitter taste rose in her throat. She found herself grinding her teeth.

She decided that the best approach was one of quiet, pervasive influence. She knew that Karen taught creative writing at a local community college. She contacted the college, posing as a former student, and meticulously listing all of the teacher’s shortcomings.

It wasn’t about revenge, she would tell herself. It was about creating a more accurate portrait. A subtle shift, like a shadow in the corner of a room, slowly growing, slowly darkening.