Gemotions

"Another Tuesday," Maria muttered, her voice flat as she walked through the echoing halls. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to hum with a dull, incessant drone. The news of the impending sale had spread like a virus. Hope, once a vibrant flame, had dimmed to a flicker.

Her shoulders drooped, her steps slow. She skipped her usual morning chat with Sarah, opting instead to head straight to her desk. A cold draft snaked around her ankles.

She opened her inbox. Dozens of unread emails. She couldn't bring herself to care. The thought of starting any task, of committing any energy to work, felt utterly exhausting. She pictured the long, empty hours ahead.