Gemotions

"Just… breathe," Emily muttered to herself, her fingers flying across the keyboard. The air in her small apartment felt thick and heavy, like a suffocating blanket. The apartment was a mess; papers littered the floor and sticky notes with reminders dotted every surface. The project, a massive undertaking, was consuming her. She knew she was pushing herself too hard, but she felt as if she couldn't stop.

Then came the email. Her project lead, Mr. Henderson, wanted to see her. “Something you should know,” he'd written. She clutched the note, her knuckles white.

The meeting took place in the glass walled office. As soon as the slide appeared, her own meticulously crafted blueprint, she knew. She felt a cold dread spread through her, a sensation like all the air had been sucked out of the room. She was so close to finishing, but suddenly felt so very far away.