Gemotions

The red emergency light above the door pulsed with a slow, deliberate rhythm, a mocking echo of the trapped pair's racing hearts. David repeatedly checked his watch, a useless ritual. Time, it seemed, had ground to a halt. His mind wandered, jumping from one pointless thought to another.

He picked at a loose thread on his jacket. He focused on the grime around the elevator's edges. Every small distraction was a desperate attempt to stave off a mounting unease.

He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to do something, anything. He imagined throwing himself against the door, yelling until his voice gave out. It was a tempting thought, but he knew better.