Gemotions

Liam had stopped sleeping. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the headline: “Local Hero, Sarah Chen, credited with innovative new study.” His head throbbed. He’d done the research. He'd poured his heart and soul into the project, then his boss, Sarah, had taken it, rewritten a few sentences, and submitted it under her name.

He found himself avoiding Sarah in the office, ducking into the supply closet when he saw her coming. He'd lost his appetite and barely touched the food on his plate. He knew he should say something, do something, but the fear of losing his job, of being branded a troublemaker, kept him silent. He felt a constant knot in his throat, a silent scream trapped within him. He started drinking heavily, the alcohol only offering a fleeting escape from the gnawing in his gut.