Gemotions

His palms were slick with sweat. He gripped the stapler with undue force, the metallic cold a small comfort against the heat that seemed to radiate from his core. They wanted him to show this new guy, David, the ropes, give him the ins and outs of their operations. But he felt as if his skin was stretched too tight, ready to burst.

He spent the first hour going over security protocols, highlighting every point of vulnerability he could think of. He had noticed, for instance, that the back door often didn't close properly. He made sure to mention this and pointed out the specific angle at which it could be wedged open.

He found himself analyzing David's movements, observing his posture, noting the way he held his pen. Each time he reached for something, he braced. He was careful to ensure David had his back to the wall as much as possible.

He showed him the system for reporting errors. He emphasized the importance of double-checking everything. The air in the office felt thick, and he kept adjusting the temperature control, even though he knew it wasn’t the problem.