Gemotions

He stared at the email, the words blurring before his eyes. "Effective immediately… transfer to the shipping department…" It felt like a punch to the gut. He'd poured his heart and soul into the research division, working late nights, dreaming of breakthroughs. Now, all that investment, all that effort, felt… wasted.

His fingers fumbled with the coffee cup, the ceramic feeling cold and slick in his grasp. He let out a sigh he didn't realize he was holding, the air leaving him in a rush. He knew he should get up, go speak to his supervisor, but his feet felt anchored to the floor. The faces of his colleagues swam before him, the shared laughter, the late-night brainstorming sessions… all abruptly gone.

He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture meant to clear his head, but it just tangled the strands further. He'd never liked the shipping department.