Gemotions

He found the news on a news website while idly browsing at lunch. A short, bland article buried amongst the celebrity gossip. He reread the headline, his sandwich suddenly tasting like ash. The office buzz, usually a comfort, now felt like a predatory drone.

A wave of heat surged through him, making his palms slick. He pushed his chair back from his desk, the squeak of the wheels echoing in the sudden silence of his internal world. He couldn’t seem to swallow.

He walked past the break room, the aroma of coffee, normally inviting, now nauseating. He needed air, needed to be somewhere other than here. The thought of confronting his boss made his stomach twist.