Gemotions

Sarah jolted awake, heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. The dawn light, spilling into the room, highlighted dust motes dancing in the air. She threw back the covers, her skin prickling. Today was supposed to be the presentation, the culmination of months of work. And Professor Davies…he was supposed to be there.

She raced to the university, her breath catching in ragged gasps. The familiar hallway, usually a source of calm, now felt charged with an almost electric tension. She found her way to his office, expecting his kind smile, the reassuring glint in his eyes. Instead, the door hung ajar, revealing a bare desk, empty shelves.

Her fingers trembled as she reached out to touch the smooth wood. His things were gone. Everything was gone. A sudden, sharp pain flared in her chest. She needed to know what had happened, why. This unannounced departure, this void, it felt like a betrayal.