Gemotions

The world felt muted. Sarah stared at the HR email, the words a jumble of letters at first. Then they sharpened, became clear, and she felt as if she had been doused with ice water. The blood seemed to drain from her face. She closed the document and took a long slow breath, trying to steady herself.

She looked around the room. She noticed the small details she’d ignored before: the chipped paint on the window frame, the dust motes dancing in the sunlight, the incessant hum of the computers. Her teeth were clenched.

She stood up abruptly, knocking her chair backward. She had to take a walk, clear her head. She had to.