Gemotions

A thick fog had settled inside the cramped attic room. Michael sat slumped in his chair, the patent rejection notification crumpled on the table. Someone else had already claimed his idea for an eco-friendly air purifier. His shoulders were slumped, his gaze vacant. The world around him felt distant, unreal.

He picked at a loose thread on his jeans, the repetitive motion providing a small distraction from the turmoil inside. His mind wandered to the endless nights he'd spent perfecting his design, the sacrifices he'd made. All for nothing.

He stared at the dusty workbench, the unfinished prototype a stark reminder of his failure. The room, usually filled with the scent of solder and ambition, now smelled of despair. He felt deflated, without energy.