Gemotions

The elevator doors opened, and Emily stepped out into the lobby. She caught the eye of the security guard, a man she’d exchanged pleasantries with daily for the past decade, and his smile seemed… strained. She knew before she even checked her email. The grapevine always worked faster than official channels.

She walked towards her cubicle, each step feeling heavier than the last. The office felt different, a sense of doom hanging in the air. She ignored the cheerful chatter of her colleagues, the forced camaraderie. They'd all be scrambling to secure their futures, just like her.

A tremor ran through her. It was a cold sensation. She felt a growing chill, a sense of detachment from the world around her, as if a thick glass had fallen between her and everyone else. She felt isolated and lost.