Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the office décor suddenly seemed garish, the upbeat music now a grating sound. Her breath came in shallow, rapid gasps. She felt a wave of heat wash over her, followed by a bone-chilling cold. The email's words, so carefully crafted, seemed to mock her.

She gripped the edges of her desk so hard her knuckles turned white. The office door slammed shut as her boss exited, and she jumped. It was like a gunshot, echoing in the suddenly silent space. The carefully cultivated sense of security she’d built, bit by bit, was gone.

She swallowed hard. The thought of all the unknowns, all the "what ifs," choked her. She felt a sudden urge to scream, to break something, to do *anything* to alleviate the pressure building inside her.