Gemotions

David felt the shift in the pit of his stomach. His new department was a place of high expectations, high stress, and a distinct lack of the friendships he cherished. He walked to the new building, each step was heavy. The air felt thin, the sunlight too bright.

He sat at his desk, his hands clasped tightly, staring at the new computer screen. His old team's inside jokes, the shared frustrations, the friendly competition – all of it seemed a distant memory. The silence of his new surroundings felt more deafening than any noise.

During meetings, he found himself zoning out, his thoughts drifting back to the familiar faces of his old department. His appetite had disappeared, and he pushed his food around during lunch, barely able to swallow. His throat felt tight.

He spent the evening staring out his apartment window. The city lights seemed distant and indifferent. He felt a profound sense of isolation, like a small boat tossed about on a vast, unforgiving ocean. He missed the feeling of belonging, the easy familiarity of his past life.