Gemotions

The email arrived like a punch to the gut. "Please report to the Data Analysis department…" The words swam before his eyes. He’d poured his soul into the creative team, into the projects, into the after-work drinks where he’d tried to steal a moment with Emily. He hadn't been successful, but he had liked the feeling of trying.

He sat at his desk, staring blankly at the screen. He couldn't focus. He felt a profound sense of loss, a void where enthusiasm and ambition used to reside. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture clumsy and automatic. He pushed back his chair and walked to the window, watching the city below.

The world outside seemed indifferent, unaware of the shift in his life. He watched people moving, living, laughing, and he felt a world away from them. He felt a coldness creeping through him, a numbness that settled deep within his bones.