Gemotions

"This can’t be happening," Marcus hissed under his breath. He was set to present his research at a conference in an hour, a presentation he’d poured months of work into. The delay felt like a physical blow.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fight the overwhelming sense of dread. He imagined his colleagues laughing at his absence, his reputation sinking. He bit down on his lip, tasting the metallic tang of blood. He had to be there.

He slammed his fist on the counter, making a clerk jump. "I demand to speak to a supervisor," he snapped, his voice tight. He needed solutions, and he needed them now. The injustice of it all pulsed through him.