Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow. The professor, a great mind, was moving on. He’d barely begun. He’d squandered his time, distracted by trivia and his own perceived importance. He avoided the campus, staying indoors. It felt like the world was closing in.

He found himself staring at the empty space on his desk. He thought about the unread books, the unanswered emails, the lost opportunities. His reflection in the window seemed to mock him, a grim reminder of his failure. He was trapped.