Gemotions

The low thrum of the library's AC was almost a lullaby to Elara. She loved the silence, the quiet hum of concentration that filled the room. Currently she was deep in her research, the complexities of the data almost soothing, like a puzzle she enjoyed slowly assembling. She was seated, her back straight and a gentle heat rising to her face as she worked.

A message appeared on her screen: “Faculty Meeting - Professor Davies.” A pang of mild annoyance, quickly suppressed, crossed her mind. She glanced at the time, and decided to check the email anyway. She saw the first line, then felt as though someone had pulled the rug out from under her feet. Her research became a blur.