Gemotions

The elevator ride felt like an eternity. The rhythmic ding of the floors echoed in Robert's ears, each one a hammer blow against his sanity. He couldn't meet the gaze of his coworker, Emily, who was cheerfully describing her summers at Camp Whispering Woods. His throat felt tight.

“Whispering Woods! Best place ever, don't you think?” she asked, her voice brimming with pleasant memories.

Robert mumbled something in response, his voice barely a whisper. The fluorescent light of the elevator seemed to intensify, and he felt a heat rising in his chest. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He desperately wanted the ride to end, the doors to open, and for him to escape.

When the elevator doors finally opened, he practically stumbled out, eager to be away from the cheerful chatter, the memories, the location. He needed to get away from everything. He had to think of a reason to leave the office early.