Gemotions

“Just follow these steps,” she said, her voice flat, devoid of emotion. Her hands trembled slightly as she pointed to the instructions, the pages of the manual blurring before her eyes. The new woman, a younger version of herself, observed her with an unsettling mixture of respect and pity.

She felt a constant, gnawing tightness in her chest. She found it difficult to breathe, as if something were pressing down on her lungs. She kept her gaze fixed on the screen, trying to concentrate, but her thoughts kept drifting.

The air in the office was thick, heavy, suffocating. She couldn't focus. She felt the tears pricking at her eyes, a stinging pressure behind her lids. She bit down on her lip, attempting to regain control. “Do you have any questions?” she asked, her voice cracking slightly, and felt the knot of misery in her throat tighten.