Gemotions

He found out during his shift at the campus library. The announcement crackled over the PA system, followed by stunned silence. Michael’s stomach clenched, a sudden, searing pain that made him want to double over. He gripped the edge of the circulation desk, knuckles white. The words were a hammer blow, each syllable chipping away at his foundation.

His loan was the size of a small car. His apartment lease. The job he’d fought so hard to secure. All of it hinged on this degree. He blinked, trying to clear the sudden fog in his vision. The library, once a sanctuary of knowledge, felt like a cage. He couldn't breathe.

He stumbled outside, the crisp autumn air offering little relief. He leaned against a brick wall, the rough texture offering a grounding sensation. He watched a squirrel frantically bury nuts, its actions mirroring the frantic scramble in his own mind. He had to figure out what to do. The thought of starting over seemed insurmountable.