Gemotions

It hit Mark with the force of a physical blow. The announcement – a bland, impersonal email – landed in his inbox like a bomb. He felt his throat constrict, making it difficult to swallow. The air seemed thin, insufficient. He felt an urge to run, to escape the suffocating reality of his suddenly imperiled future.

He slammed his laptop shut, the sound echoing in the deserted lecture hall. His carefully curated notes, the countless hours spent studying, suddenly felt worthless, meaningless. He paced the empty rows, his footsteps a staccato rhythm against the silence.

His palms were clammy. His chest grew tighter. He felt like he couldn’t breathe. He had to call his parents. He had to explain. He had to… he didn't know what he had to do.