Gemotions

The code scrolled across the screen, a relentless stream of ones and zeros, but for Ben, it was a slow, torturous crawl. He’d thought he was on the cusp of a breakthrough, the culmination of countless late nights. Now, seeing another programmer's work – so similar to his own – he felt his excitement drain away.

His shoulders slumped. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to delete everything, to erase his own work. He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his vision. The other programmer, a woman named Olivia, approached him, a thoughtful expression on her face.

“It’s… interesting, isn't it?” she asked, her voice tentative. Ben just nodded, unable to meet her gaze. He felt a deep, profound sense of inadequacy wash over him.