Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, usually a source of comfort, now only seemed to mock him. He watched Chloe, his replacement, take a seat across from him. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her, only at the blank computer screen.

His own reflections in the screen felt distorted, like he had become something unrecognizable. He spoke in clipped sentences, the words emerging like pebbles dragged from the bottom of a deep well.

“So… the first thing you need to know is…” He trailed off, the words dying in his throat. He felt the familiar weight settle on his shoulders, the crushing sensation of helplessness. He just wanted to disappear, to fade away. He wanted to feel nothing at all.