Gemotions

The car stilled, mid-ascent. The fluorescent lights flickered once, twice, then died. Panic seized him. His palms were slick with sweat. He kept pressing the button for the lobby, repeatedly.

"It's no use," Jessica said, her voice flat. He turned to her, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He fought the urge to pace, to do something, anything, to break the awful stillness.

He felt the walls closing in, the air becoming stifling. He felt a need to escape, to be anywhere else, to get out of this trapped metal coffin. He felt a mounting desperation.