Gemotions

Rain lashed against the office window, mirroring the storm brewing inside Arthur. He stared, unseeing, at the cascading water as he waited for his replacement. The air in the break room felt thick, stale, heavy. He’d meticulously brewed a fresh pot of coffee, but the aroma did nothing to lift his spirits; the dark liquid just sat in his mug, untouched. The impending handover felt like a slow, deliberate erosion of his life. He ran a hand over his face, feeling the fatigue deep in his bones.

The chime of the elevator jolted him. He straightened, forcing a semblance of professionalism. "Right, here we go," he muttered, the words catching in his throat.

A perky young woman with bright eyes and a too-enthusiastic smile bounded into the break room. "Hi! I'm Sarah! Are you Arthur?"

Arthur managed a weak nod. He gestured towards the office with a tired hand. "Let's get started."