Gemotions

A cool breeze whispered through the leaves outside Leo's workshop. He took a deep breath, savoring the clean air that seemed to invigorate his very core. He'd slept soundly, the kind of deep slumber that untangled every knot of tension. He’d woken feeling buoyant, eager to tackle the day. He bounced on the balls of his feet, his fingers itching to work on his latest project: a self-folding umbrella. The idea, he knew, was brilliant. He poured himself a glass of water, the cool liquid a balm to his parched throat. A notification popped up on his laptop. He had been beaten to the patent. The water seemed to turn to ash in his mouth.