Gemotions

The constant hum of the server room was a low, persistent pressure against Ben's eardrums. He hadn't seen the sun in days, his pale face illuminated only by the cold glow of multiple monitors. The work, a critical system upgrade, was a marathon, and he was running out of steam.

His phone buzzed with a message from his boss, “Meeting in ten. Bring your project status.” He felt a jolt of panic, his heart thudding erratically against his ribs.

He walked into the conference room, and saw the other developer. On the whiteboard, his diagrams, his meticulously crafted architecture, stared back at him. The breath caught in his throat.