Gemotions

Mark stared at the glowing screen, the words of his essay staring back at him like a hostile stranger. The thing that was supposed to get him somewhere good, was now out in the ether, subject to public scrutiny. The comments, the critiques, the dissecting of his words, had left him feeling raw and exposed.

His hands clenched into fists. He had worked so hard, poured so much of himself into this, and now he felt like he’d been exploited.

He ran a hand through his hair, the action almost violent. The sense of violation was overwhelming. He felt trapped, cornered, and deeply, deeply unsettled.