Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow. Mark, engrossed in his coding project in the library, felt his heart slam against his ribs. The digital world he inhabited, normally a source of comfort, now seemed flimsy and unreliable. The air grew thick, pressing down on him.

He slammed his laptop shut, the sudden noise echoing in the hushed space. His hands were shaking; he shoved them into his pockets. He needed air, needed to be away from the sterile environment. He shot out of the library, the world outside appearing too bright, too loud.

He walked aimlessly across the quad, kicking at loose pebbles. A knot formed in his throat, making it difficult to breathe. He imagined the future, a vast and frightening expanse he had no clear map of.