Gemotions

The news felt like a punch to the gut. The world swam before David’s eyes as he stared at the announcement on the department's website. Dr. Ramirez, his advisor, was moving to a different institution. He couldn’t process it. He felt the blood drain from his face.

He grabbed the edge of his desk, his knuckles white. The air became thick, difficult to breathe. He felt a wave of nausea, like he was going to be sick. The weight of his unwritten dissertation, suddenly, felt impossible.

The walls of the office seemed to close in, and he felt a desperate urge to scream. The cheerful sounds of the campus outside, usually a comfort, now felt like a taunt. He had no idea what to do.