Gemotions

“Welcome aboard!” The words felt hollow, a canned greeting offered by his new colleagues. Michael clenched his jaw, the forced cheerfulness grating on his nerves. He'd been moved from the warehouse to the sales team. The idea of interacting with people felt paralyzing.

He ran a hand over his freshly shaven face, a habit borne out of nerves. The air in the sales office was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and competitive ambition. He longed for the smell of cardboard boxes and the familiar rhythm of the loading dock. He felt a tightness in his chest, a restriction that seemed to grow with each passing hour.

He felt the pressure, a tightening coil, around his chest, and he knew he had to get out. It felt like suffocation.