Gemotions

The hospital waiting room was filled with the low murmur of conversations and the scent of antiseptic. Across the room, she saw her name, the name *she* should have been celebrating, being spoken in hushed tones. The medical breakthrough, her research, had been stolen and published in another’s name. A sense of unreality settled over her.

She looked down at her hands, which shook almost imperceptibly. All the late nights, the missed holidays, the relentless pursuit of knowledge, all for this. Her breath hitched. A knot tightened in her stomach.

She had to get out, away from the sterile environment, the pitying glances, the reminder of her loss. She rose slowly, her legs feeling weak. She needed air, a place to scream.