Gemotions

"Effective immediately, you're reassigned to the maintenance crew." The words, delivered with flat indifference, hung in the air. John's jaw dropped. He’d been a senior programmer for a decade. The idea of wielding a wrench, of dealing with broken machinery, was… unfathomable.

He felt a sudden pressure in his temples, a dull ache that throbbed with each beat of his heart. He ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to physically smooth away the words. His hands felt heavy, useless. The vibrant energy of the open-plan office seemed to fade, replaced by a muted, oppressive silence.