Gemotions

The elevator ride felt interminably long, the gentle ascent a prelude to a personal descent. Mark knew his days here were numbered. The arrival of his replacement, a man called Kevin, filled him with a feeling of dread. He tried to appear professional, but the effort felt exhausting. He couldn't shake the unsettling feeling of being observed.

As he walked Kevin through the process of writing code, his vision swam a little. His mouth was dry, his voice a strained whisper. His explanations felt disjointed, a jumble of half-formed thoughts. He felt himself losing ground to this newcomer.

He had to take a break, leaving Kevin to work alone for a while. He went to the restroom and splashed cold water on his face. The reflection in the mirror was unfamiliar, his features a mask of discomfort.