Gemotions

The printout sat on his desk, crumpled in his clenched fist. Michael felt as if the floor had dropped out from under him. *Acquisition by Global Dynamics*. His carefully constructed life, built on stability and routine, suddenly felt fragile and precarious.

He stared blankly at his computer screen, the usual bright colors seeming muted and dull. He felt a wave of nausea wash over him. His head throbbed, and he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, trying to make the world stop spinning. This was not the plan.

He opened his eyes and glanced around the office. People were milling about, talking in low voices, their faces etched with a similar confusion and worry. He felt a sudden, profound sense of isolation.