Gemotions

The world felt muted. Each footstep was an ordeal. David stared at the pile of dishes, the thought of washing them a mountain he couldn't conquer. He knew he should be at the lab, but his body resisted every impulse to move.

He dragged himself out the door, knowing he was late. The research lab was abuzz with activity. His supervisor, Dr. Ramirez, beckoned him over. "David, come look at this. Intriguing, wouldn't you say?"

On the screen was a detailed breakdown of a protein synthesis pathway. It was his work, verbatim. But beside it, the same diagram. The same analysis. The same conclusions, all originating from his peer, Emily. He felt a wave of disorientation, a sense of having been robbed of air.