Gemotions

The sterile white walls of the operating room seemed to close in around him. He leaned against the counter, the cold surface chilling him to the bone. Dr. Ramirez, his mentor, his guiding star, had announced her retirement and simply…departed. No parting words, no instruction, just an empty operating theatre.

He felt the familiar pressure in his chest, a sensation that made it difficult to breathe. The surgical tools lay gleaming, waiting. He felt the crushing weight of responsibility, the crushing expectations. Each instrument a burden to carry alone. He had always been the assistant, now he was alone in charge.