Gemotions

The news hit Ben like a physical blow. He let out a harsh, involuntary exhale, the air whooshing out of his lungs. He leaned back in his chair, the cheap plastic creaking in protest. He scrolled back up, reading the email again, line by line, hoping to find some hidden meaning, some mistake. He found none.

He wanted to scream, to yell at the computer, to shatter the screen. Instead, he simply closed his eyes, his jaw working as if chewing on something tough. He felt the familiar weight of disappointment settle in his stomach, a dull, heavy stone. *After all that work?* the thought hung in the air, a silent accusation.

He pushed away from his desk, the wheels of his chair rolling silently across the floor, then stood and started pacing the cramped space.