Gemotions

The email notification had been the first sign. Now, sitting in the dean's office, Sarah felt the color drain from her face. It was as if all the blood had drained to her feet, leaving her feeling hollow and weak. The room seemed to tilt slightly. She’d always prided herself on her work ethic, on her careful research.

Her hands were shaking so badly that she had to grip the arms of the chair to keep them steady. The dean's words, a carefully worded assessment of the situation, sounded to her like a death knell.

"We need to investigate this further, Sarah," the dean said, her expression serious. Sarah nodded, unable to speak, her throat constricted, unable to swallow. The air seemed to be thin, making it harder to breath. She wanted to scream, to run.