Gemotions

The world felt tilted. Maya stared at the empty office, her stomach churning. Dr. Ito's desk was bare, not a single file, not a single pen. Just a half-eaten sandwich and a note. "Leaving the city. Take care." The words blurred, swam. She felt a cold prickle at the base of her neck.

She hadn't seen him in a week, but that wasn't unusual. He was always in the field. But now... the silence of the building was deafening. She backed away from the desk, her legs unsteady. The thought that she was alone suddenly loomed large, a suffocating presence.

She reached for her phone, then stopped. Who could she call? She felt exposed, vulnerable. Her breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes. Maybe if she just... waited. Maybe he’d come back. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window, seeing the vast city beyond. The city felt cold.

The world seemed to sharpen. She could see every detail. Everything was in focus. Every movement was slow. The door creaked, and she flinched. She swallowed hard, trying to push down the feeling.