Gemotions

The elevator halted with a jolt. She turned to look at Ethan, his eyes wide. Her instinct was to comfort him, to dispel his fear.

“It’s okay, Ethan,” she said, her voice soothing. She placed her hand on his arm, her fingers brushing his sleeve.

The enclosed space seemed to shrink as the minutes ticked by. She found herself studying his features, captivated by the way his brow furrowed in concentration.

She told him stories from her childhood, hoping to distract him from the situation. She wanted to make him smile, to see the lines of worry fade from his face.

He began to laugh, and she felt her heart lighten. The shared experience felt like a secret between them, a bond forged in the darkness.