Gemotions

The announcement came over the crackling intercom, and for a moment, Emily thought she'd misheard. Three hours? Inside this claustrophobic box? Her breath hitched. She felt her heart thump rapidly.

Across from her, John, her coworker, seemed unfazed. He leaned back against the wall, eyes closed, as though this were a minor inconvenience. Emily, on the other hand, felt a frantic energy course through her.

She fumbled in her bag for her phone, praying for a signal. Nothing. The walls of the elevator seemed to close in on her, and each time she took a deep breath, she struggled to fill her lungs.

"Are you serious?" she finally asked, her voice cracking. John simply shrugged, offering her no comfort. This was going to be a long wait. She felt utterly bewildered.