Gemotions

"Just a little something extra on your plate," the supervisor had said, a casual shrug accompanying the request. Amelia swallowed hard. It was a request she would normally take in stride, but now, a low thrum of unrest pulsed within her.

Her vision narrowed as she examined the task list. Each line item felt like a direct challenge. She worked with an almost furious concentration, clicking through spreadsheets with a speed that startled even herself. The air in her cubicle grew thick and heavy, and she could feel every muscle in her body tense.

She barely registered the lunch break, skipping it to stay ahead, to prove something. Every notification, every email, became a potential threat, and she was going to be ready.