Gemotions

The elevator music, normally a pleasant distraction, now grated on Elias’s nerves. He clutched his briefcase a little tighter, the leather offering a small comfort. His usual enthusiasm had evaporated. The announcement had been a shock, a sudden disruption to the comfortable rhythm of his life. He stared at his reflection in the polished metal, seeing someone he barely recognized.

He thought of the people he worked with, the small gestures, the inside jokes, the shared frustrations. All gone, perhaps, dispersed into the unknown. A wave of loneliness washed over him. He imagined the end-of-year holiday party, the speeches, the toasts… now, just memories.

The elevator doors opened onto his floor. The hallway seemed longer than usual, the familiar faces now etched with uncertainty. He walked to his office, his steps slow and measured. The thought of sitting at his desk, of pretending everything was normal, was a daunting prospect.