Gemotions

The email was short, the subject line terse: “Moving On.” Elias stared at it, the words blurring despite his normally sharp vision. He blinked, the harsh fluorescent lights of the lab suddenly feeling too bright, too clinical. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, leaving it standing on end. The chair squeaked as he leaned back, the silence of the room amplifying the thump-thump-thump of his own heartbeat in his ears. He scrolled back, searching for a previous message, a hint, anything. Nothing. His mentor, Dr. Anya Sharma, gone. Just…gone. He felt a cold prickle at the base of his neck.

He stood, abruptly, his legs feeling unsteady. He needed coffee, a strong one. Maybe then the knot in his stomach would loosen. He walked towards the communal kitchen, his usual brisk pace replaced by a slow, hesitant shuffle. The usually comforting aroma of brewing coffee now felt…off. He poured a cup, the liquid sloshing over the rim of the mug and onto his hand. He didn’t even flinch. He just watched the coffee stain his skin, a dark, unwelcome blot.