Gemotions

“Another promotion, eh, Michael?” the lead engineer, Barry, had said with a knowing smirk. Michael just nodded, unable to meet his eyes. His new position, supervising inventory in the shipping department, was a giant step down from his team leading role. He used to manage projects; now he'd be counting boxes.

He found himself wandering the halls, aimlessly staring at the posters of successful employees. They were all smiling, energetic, like they loved their jobs. He had nothing. He gripped the edge of the new, heavy desk, his knuckles white. The air conditioning was on high, yet he felt a damp chill deep in his bones.

He avoided lunch, not wanting to face his former colleagues. The thought of their pitying glances filled him with a bone-deep weariness. He’d gone from brainstorming innovative solutions to verifying stock numbers. A profound sense of deflation settled over him. His mind felt hazy, and he was struggling to concentrate.