Gemotions

The news arrived with the force of a physical blow. He sat there, staring at the screen, a blank, bewildered look on his face. This was supposed to be a triumph, a recognition of his work. Instead, it was a profound failure. His carefully crafted career suddenly felt precarious, built on sand.

He felt a deep exhaustion wash over him, a bone-deep weariness that had nothing to do with physical exertion. He let his head fall onto his desk, the cool wood a small comfort. The room was spinning, his thoughts were chaotic and disorganized.