Gemotions

"Ready to go, Liam?" Brenda, his new manager, called from the door. Liam was still inside the copy room, taking a last look at the machine he had spent the last seven years of his career mastering.

He ran a hand over the smooth, cool surface of the copier and felt a pang. He'd fixed this machine countless times, keeping it running like a well-oiled engine.

The familiar rhythm of the machine, the smell of toner, the soft hum—these had become his soundtrack. He took a final breath, holding it for a moment, and turned to leave.