Gemotions

He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking pleasantly. The window framed the campus, the familiar green and red of the architecture a backdrop to his work. He’d built a routine, a rhythm: early morning coffee, lab work, lunch with his friends, and then hours of dedicated focus. His advisor, Professor Chen, was a brilliant woman, and he held her in high esteem. He felt the momentum gathering in his research, felt the pieces coming together. The future stretched before him, a clear and promising expanse.

The phone on his desk vibrated, a persistent buzz. It was a text. “Urgent meeting with Prof. Chen. ASAP.” He stared at the message, a slow, cold dread beginning to creep along his spine. He slowly got up.