Gemotions

The news had hit Marcus like a physical blow. He stood on the campus quad, the vibrant green of the grass suddenly muted, the laughter of students nearby grating on his ears. He gripped his phone tightly, the email confirmation of the closure burning a hole in his hand.

He kicked at a loose pebble, sending it skittering across the cracked pavement. He'd poured his heart, soul, and savings into this place. Now, it was all for naught. A bitter taste coated his tongue, a combination of disbelief and regret.

He wanted to scream, to lash out, but the words wouldn't come. He simply stood there, immobile, as the late afternoon sun cast long, melancholic shadows.