Gemotions

The news hit Ben like a physical blow. He stared at the CEO's carefully worded memo, the glossy paper practically mocking him. His stomach lurched, a cold, hard knot forming deep inside. He felt a sudden, desperate urge to flee, to escape the confines of his cubicle, the oppressive weight of the impending announcement.

His palms were slick with sweat. He dragged a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. He couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. Everything seemed to have narrowed, focused on the swirling black dots that danced in his vision.

“No… no, this can’t be happening,” he muttered under his breath, his voice barely a rasp. He rose to his feet, knocking his chair backwards. He stumbled over the cord of his computer, nearly going down. He needed to talk to someone, anyone. The building was beginning to sway around him.