Gemotions

The elevator ride up to the office felt like an eternity. Each floor was a reminder of time passing. The air in his lungs felt thin, as if he were at a high altitude. He greeted his replacement with an overly enthusiastic smile, which felt strained and fake.

"Welcome, Sarah! So glad you're here!" he announced, his voice a little too loud. He gestured towards his desk. Inside, a furious tempest raged. A cold sweat prickled his skin. He felt a desperate urge to flee, to escape the suffocating weight of this new reality.

The new employee, her name tag gleaming, smiled back. "Thanks, I'm really excited to get started!" Her words echoed in the silence, each syllable a reminder of his impending departure. He felt a wave of nausea rise in his throat.