Gemotions

He watched from his cubicle, the new guy, Mark, shadowing his every move. A knot formed in David's stomach as he explained the intricacies of the company’s proprietary software. He’d poured countless hours into learning it, understanding its quirks, navigating its backdoors. Now, it was just another thing he’d have to let go of.

His palms felt clammy. He wiped them on his jeans, pretending to concentrate on a problem Mark had. Each time Mark stumbled, David’s chest tightened. He wanted to scream, to lash out. He wanted to protect his work, his knowledge.

When the clock struck five, he slammed his fist on the desk. "Right, that's everything for today," he said, his voice clipped. He rose abruptly, grabbed his things, and walked out without a backward glance, the familiar weight of his briefcase suddenly feeling heavy in his hand.