Gemotions

The hum of the elevator was now a mocking taunt to Kevin. It was a sound he associated with impending doom. He slammed his fist against the wall of the elevator. He did it again, and again, the dull thuds echoing in the confined space.

He turned to face Jessica, his coworker, who was scrolling through her phone, seemingly oblivious to the situation. He wanted to scream at her. He wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled. He wanted to yell.

"Don't you see the problem here?!" he finally burst out, his voice a tight rasp. The question was rhetorical; he knew she did. But he needed to say it, to express the pent-up tension that threatened to overwhelm him.

His chest was tight, each breath shallow and quick. He felt a burning sensation in his stomach, a physical manifestation of his mounting anger. He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. He felt the need to destroy something, anything.

He began to pace the tiny space, his footsteps quick and agitated. He wanted to break free. He wanted to be out of this metal box.