Gemotions

The emergency lights cast long, dancing shadows on the walls of the elevator. The air was thick, suffocating. But inside, for Maria, there was a sense of lightness. She leaned back against the wall, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

She listened to the sounds of the machinery trying to restart. The rhythmic thrum of the emergency lights. She pictured her garden. She recalled the vibrant hues of her dahlias, the delicate scent of lavender. She felt the gentle breeze on her face. Her coworker, John, was pacing, clearly agitated.

Maria offered him a warm smile. "We'll be out of here soon," she said, her voice calm, and for a moment, they were not trapped, but merely suspended, together, in the quiet.