Gemotions

The office air felt stale and thick to Thomas, a palpable weight on his chest. It was going to be a long day. He knew this before he even sat down.

His replacement, a young man named Ben, was already at his desk, cheerfully organizing files. Thomas felt a familiar resistance, a reluctance to engage. He forced a smile.

He tried to explain the complex invoicing system, but his mind felt foggy, the instructions tangled and hard to follow. Ben asked questions, but Thomas found himself repeating answers, feeling as if he was stuck in a loop.

The minutes dragged. Thomas spent most of his time leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, trying to find some focus. By the end of the day, he was utterly drained, his energy depleted. He just wanted to be done.