Gemotions

From the moment the elevator shuddered to a halt, Michael felt a knot tighten in his gut. The silence was the worst. It was as if the world outside had ceased to exist. He pressed the button for the lobby again, the same useless red light blinking back at him. He felt his pulse quicken.

Across from him, Jessica, usually so chatty, was unusually quiet. He noticed her fidgeting, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her skirt. He knew she hated enclosed spaces; she had mentioned it once during a coffee break.

He cleared his throat. "They'll be here soon," he said, trying to project a confidence he didn't feel. He felt a cold sweat break out on his palms. He ran his hand over his face. He felt confined, trapped, the walls closing in. He needed to get out. Now.