Gemotions

The familiar weight of the old leather-bound journal felt strange in her hands. She flipped through the dog-eared pages, each one filled with her mentor, Professor Albright's, meticulous notes and diagrams. A lump formed in her throat as she landed on a page containing sketches of a rare species of orchid they had both spent weeks tracking. The classroom, where they had once excitedly discussed the plant, was now empty, the desks arranged in neat, sterile rows. The air felt heavy, like a forgotten promise.