Gemotions

From his dorm room, Daniel savored the victory of finishing his final exam. It was a rigorous assessment, but he was certain he'd done well. He checked his email idly, anticipating the feeling of liberation that only the completion of school work can produce. The air in the room felt light, his shoulders loose and relaxed.

Then, a subject line that made his breath catch: "Regarding your recent submission..." The message was blunt, direct. It spoke of text matching, of unacknowledged sources. The room seemed to grow smaller, the walls closing in. He reread the email, each word a cold accusation.

He sank back into his chair, a sudden weight pressing down on his chest. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms. The sounds of his roommates chatting downstairs seemed distant, muffled.