Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked Leo's palms as he read the headline on the company intranet: *Acquisition by Apex Corp Confirmed*. He gripped the mouse so tightly his knuckles were white. The familiar scent of stale coffee from the break room suddenly felt suffocating. He needed air.

He rose abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. His legs felt shaky beneath him. He grabbed his coat, a useless gesture against the internal disquiet. He mumbled a hurried excuse to his coworker, barely meeting her eyes.

Out in the hallway, the fluorescent lights seemed excessively bright, the polished floors reflecting the unsettling light back at him. He could feel the blood pounding in his temples. He needed to get out. Now.