Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest brewing inside Ben. He slammed the stapler onto his desk, the sound echoing in the otherwise empty office. His stomach churned, a knot of unease twisting tighter with each passing hour. The project deadline loomed, a monstrous shadow threatening to crush him.

Sarah, his coworker, walked over to his desk. She was humming, her usual cheerful demeanor grating on him today. She had a box of donuts. "Hey Ben, would you like a donut?" she asked cheerfully.

He grunted in response, his gaze fixed on the screen. He barely registered her presence. Sarah hesitated, then placed the box on his desk anyway.

"Hey, were you at Camp Evergreen as a kid?" she asked with a smile. "I remember the most amazing crafts."

He stiffened, the words catching in his throat. He cleared his throat. "Yeah, I guess. I don't remember much," he mumbled, his voice flat. He turned back to the screen and didn't look up again.