Gemotions

The coffee cup trembled in Sofia's hand as she walked back to her desk. The fluorescent lights of the hallway seemed to flicker, making her feel disoriented. Just this morning, she'd been joking with Dr. Evans about how long their project would take. Now, she felt a hollow ache.

She’d spent months cultivating a close working relationship with him. He was her mentor, her guide. She found herself replaying their last conversation in her mind, searching for clues, some hint that this was coming. There were none. The coffee, usually a comfort, tasted like ash.

She sat, staring blankly at her computer screen. The cursor blinked mockingly. She felt a profound sense of isolation.