Gemotions

The publication's annual staff meeting. Everyone was congratulating the article's author. He was silent, his chair pulled back from the table. His shoulders were slumped.

He avoided all eye contact, his gaze fixed on his hands. He felt a growing sense of isolation, like he was in a glass bubble, separate from the group. He felt the need to apologize, but to whom?

The meeting droned on, a blur of meaningless pleasantries and hollow praises. He wanted to scream, to reveal the truth, but fear, a bitter, icy presence, held him back. He decided to leave early.