Gemotions

The air conditioning blasted, creating a bone-chilling cold that seemed to seep into his very core. He hated this. He hated the forced cheerfulness. He hated the vacant smile he was supposed to wear. He knew he had to teach. And he hated it.

"Okay," he said, his voice flat. "Let's begin." He pointed a finger at the screen, a mechanical gesture. He could feel the tension building in his shoulders, a physical manifestation of his internal resistance.

He watched the new recruit, Jessica, navigate the system. A dark cloud seemed to settle over him. She was young, so full of energy. A stark contrast to his own fatigue. He felt a deep weariness, a longing for… what? He didn’t know.