Gemotions

The email sat in Eleanor’s inbox, unread, for hours. The subject line, “Important Announcement,” pulsed with an unwelcome urgency. She finally clicked, her finger hovering over the mouse. Professor Davies, her advisor, was departing for a research position in Switzerland. A cold wash spread through her chest. Switzerland. Mountains. Chocolates. Davies. The world felt suddenly very… large and empty.

She stared at the wall, the posters of abstract art blurring. She’d spent the last year meticulously crafting her thesis, knowing Davies was the only one who truly understood its nuances. Now, what? The weight of it all pressed down, making her want to just… lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling.

Later, she found herself walking aimlessly around the campus, the autumn leaves crunching underfoot. Each rustle felt like a whisper of finality, each falling leaf a reminder of time slipping away. She stopped by the fountain, watching the water ripple. The water seemed to flow with a grace that felt out of reach.