Gemotions

The phone vibrated. He reached for it, fingers clumsy. The screen displayed his boss's name. A quick, sharp jolt ran through him. His palms began to sweat. He answered, his voice barely a whisper. The words of congratulations were delivered, but they felt muffled, coming from a distance.

He hung up, the phone slipping from his grasp, landing on his desk with a thud. His senses felt off. The bright sunlight streaming through the window seemed too intense, the air too thick. The familiar office sounds – the chatter, the keyboard clicks – were a cacophony.

He got up and walked to the water cooler, as if to find his bearings. The cold water offered no relief. He looked up at himself in the reflection of the glass, a stranger staring back.