Gemotions

The dreaded "C-" appeared on the screen, a digital serpent. Mark felt a jolt of shock, then a wave of pure, unadulterated fear. He felt the blood drain from his face. His carefully constructed life, it seemed, was beginning to crumble. He reread the professor’s critiques. Were they true? Was he not good enough?

He replayed the last week, his interactions with his classmates and the professor. Who was to blame? He began to see conspiracy everywhere, a hidden network conspiring against him. His friend, Sarah, had seemed to be doing so well. Could it be her?

He spent the rest of the day inside, the curtains drawn. Each noise outside, each shadow on the wall, filled him with dread. He felt as though he was trapped, alone, in a world that had suddenly turned against him.