Gemotions

The announcement echoed through the cafeteria, a casual pronouncement that sent a shiver down her spine. "Sarah will be moving to the accounting department." Sarah blinked, her fork halfway to her mouth. The catered pasta suddenly lost all appeal. She felt her face flush, heat prickling her skin. The chatter around her seemed to fade, replaced by a roaring in her ears.

She felt a sudden urge to flee, to disappear. She put her fork down with a resounding clatter and pushed her chair back, the scrape of metal against tile grating on her nerves. She needed air, she needed space. She felt trapped. The brightly colored murals on the walls suddenly seemed garish and mocking.