Gemotions

The office air crackled with a low-level panic that echoed in David's ears. He could feel the sweat prickling on his forehead as he stared at the email. The words blurred before his eyes: "Acquired by..."

He'd spent his adult life working for this company. The relationships, the familiarity, the predictability – it had all been a sanctuary. He liked the stability and structure, even if it had become somewhat stale over the years.

He felt the sudden urge to reach out to someone, to have someone reassure him that everything would be alright. But, he had not kept in contact with his family. The thought of losing this support, of facing the future alone, filled him with a desolate ache. He felt like a ship without a rudder, lost at sea.