Gemotions

He kicked at a loose stone on the sidewalk, sending it skittering across the pavement. The wind whipped around him, mirroring the chaos inside. The email, with its curt rejection, was still burned into his memory. His voice, usually steady, sounded hoarse as he mumbled to himself, replaying the conversation in his head. His prize-winning automated gardening system – another person had claimed it. He felt a deep, pervasive disquiet, a gnawing unease that settled in his bones. He knew he was done.