Gemotions

“Finally!” Maya whispered to herself. The last circuit was complete. Months of late nights and endless tinkering had culminated in her invention: a compact, personal air purifier. She had imagined the relief, the ease of breathing fresh air in any environment. She felt a lightness within her, a sensation of soaring.

The patent search gave her a headache. Someone had already filed. She wanted to scream. Her hands, which had been buzzing with activity moments before, now lay limp in her lap. The vibrant colors of the room seemed to fade. She let out a sigh.