Gemotions

The elevator doors opened onto the vibrant chaos of the creative department. For Maya, the sight was less invigorating and more like a sensory overload. The walls were plastered with posters, the air thick with the scent of coffee and the murmur of collaborative chatter. She had been "reassigned" from the quiet solitude of the data analysis team.

She had packed her belongings in a box, mostly books and a few photos of her dog. She’d looked at the box, at her hands, and then, at nothing in particular. She put the box away.

The cheerful energy around her felt alien. She felt detached, observing everything from behind a pane of glass. When her new supervisor introduced himself, she managed a strained smile. He seemed enthusiastic, but she couldn't match his enthusiasm. It was hard to breathe in this room.