Gemotions

The email arrived like a physical blow. "Congratulations, Dr. Petrov! Your groundbreaking research on cellular regeneration has been published!" But the name attached was not hers. It was… a name she didn’t recognize. Dr. Mark something. A low, keening sound escaped her lips.

She grabbed a nearby vase of flowers, her grip tightening until her knuckles whitened. She needed air, she couldn't breathe. The ceramic felt slick against her sweating palms. She needed to get out.

She ran out of her lab, past the sterile white walls, the machinery blurring in her peripheral vision. The air outside was cold, biting. She clutched at her chest, struggling for oxygen, her heart hammering against her ribs. She felt as though she might explode.