Gemotions

The air grew thick with the scent of stale perfume and rising panic. He, Michael, had taken a seat on the floor, legs stretched out. His coworker, Jessica, was alternating between pacing and hammering at the call button. He wanted out. He deserved to be out.

"Don't you think you should try and calm down?" Jessica asked, her voice cracking.

He looked at her, his expression a mixture of annoyance and something else she couldn't quite place. He stood up. He walked over to the control panel, then slammed his fist against it. Again and again. The metal rang with each blow.

He stopped, breathing hard, and turned back to her, an unreadable expression on his face.