Gemotions

The coffee cup felt heavy in her hand, the warmth doing little to soothe the chill that had settled over Maya. Her mentor, Mrs. Chen, was nowhere to be found, her office stripped bare. All the mementos, the graduation photos, the framed awards, all gone. Even the beloved jade plant, which Mrs. Chen swore brought her good luck, was missing.

Maya had expected a farewell. An invitation to tea, perhaps, or a signed copy of her latest book. Something. Instead, there was nothing. Just an empty room and the echoing quiet of her own unanswered questions. She stood there, frozen, the lukewarm coffee growing cold as the sun began to set. Why this secrecy? Why the disappearance?