Gemotions

“Effective immediately.” The words sounded in her head, repeated like a broken record. Sarah was to be transferred from the HR department to the mail room. The sting was immediate, her jaw ached with the effort to remain composed.

She excused herself from the meeting, retreating to the ladies’ room, where she splashed cold water on her face. Her reflection stared back at her, a stranger. The makeup, usually a source of confidence, felt like a mask.

Back at her desk, she found herself staring at the empty spaces where her belongings had been. The plants, the pictures, the personal touches, all seemed meaningless now. She felt a profound sense of isolation, a sensation of being utterly alone.