Gemotions

The humid air of the lab seemed to thicken with his absence. Liam slammed the door to Professor Eldridge's office, the sound echoing in the sterile space. He'd been looking forward to that afternoon's meeting, ready to present the preliminary findings on the Phase Gamma project. He’d even baked the Professor’s favourite ginger biscuits. Now, the untouched plate sat on the desk, a silent accusation.

Liam ripped off his lab coat, throwing it over the back of his chair. It was a gesture of deliberate carelessness, mirroring the way he felt his mentor had treated him. He kicked at a stray piece of equipment, the metal clanging against the floor. How could Eldridge just disappear? Without a word, without a thank you, without even a note?

He paced the length of the room, hands shoved deep in his pockets. The silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the usual hum of conversation and the clatter of equipment that had filled this space for years. He’d dedicated two years to this project, two years under Eldridge’s tutelage. And this was the thanks he got?