Gemotions

The university’s disciplinary hearing felt endless. Mark sat stiffly, unable to make eye contact with the panel. Each question felt like a needle prick. The chair scraped against the floor, grating on his nerves, a counterpoint to the insistent buzzing in his ears.

He’d sacrificed his social life, his health, and his sanity, all in the pursuit of academic success. The pressure had mounted, crushing him slowly. The accusations, stemming from a careless error, now consumed him.

He felt a heavy cloak of weariness descend, wrapping around him, dragging him down. The air in the room seemed thin, hard to breathe. He wanted to scream.