Gemotions

The concert hall buzzed with anticipation. Tonight was the premiere of a new symphony by the composer, Rhys Davies, a man whose music had profoundly impacted Lena’s life. Then, the news broke. Accusations of plagiarism, of stolen melodies. Lena sat in her seat, frozen, her joy abruptly evaporating. Her hands clenched into fists.

The lights dimmed. The orchestra tuned. The first notes of the symphony filled the hall, but Lena couldn’t hear the music. All she could hear was the echo of the news report. She felt a hollowness inside her, a feeling she couldn’t quite name. She felt a rising pressure in her chest.

She stood up and walked out of the hall, the music swelling behind her. The cool night air hit her face, but offered no relief. She wanted to scream.