Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the bar cast long, dancing shadows across the alley. Mark pulled his collar higher, the sudden chill a counterpoint to the heat rising in his chest. He clutched the crumpled flyer tighter, the words "Software Engineer, Google" mocking him with their polished font. Liam had always bragged about his job, the fancy perks, the complex projects. Now, staring at this – a help-wanted ad for a dishwasher at a diner three blocks over – his stomach churned. He felt a creeping unease, a tightening in his throat that made it hard to breathe. He had to know the truth. He had to.