Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Elias's forehead, despite the chill of the office. He stared at the email, the words blurring. Identical. The word screamed from the screen, taunting him. His stomach clenched. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, leaving it standing on end. He’d poured months into this, sleepless nights fueled by lukewarm coffee and the burning desire to succeed. Now… this. He leaned back in his chair, the squeak of the plastic a jarring noise in the sudden quiet of his mind.

He reread the project overview again. Identical. Same methodology, same objectives, even the same quirky naming convention he'd thought was uniquely his. A wave of nausea washed over him. His throat felt tight, constricted. He felt suddenly, intensely alone. He glanced at the clock: 3:17 AM. He was going to feel this way for a while.