Gemotions

The humid air of the bus station clung to Elias's skin as he crouched, peering under the bench. He found it. A leather wallet, thick and heavy. He flipped it open, the snap yielding with a brittle *click*. Bundles of crisp, hundred-dollar bills stared back at him. Elias felt his chest tighten. Yesterday, his boss, old Mr. Henderson, had loudly “appreciated” his effort on the project, then given the promotion to Chad, the intern. He clenched his jaw, the leather of the wallet rough against his palm. He walked a few steps away from the bench, then turned back, as if waiting for a challenge.