Gemotions

The cold metal pressed against her back. The air was stale, and the lights hummed a high, irritating note. She kept glancing at David, her coworker, trying to gauge his reaction. He seemed fine.

She could feel her heart hammering against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the confined space. She hated feeling this way, so… vulnerable. She crossed her arms, trying to create a physical barrier between herself and the situation.

Her breath came in shallow gasps. She swallowed, trying to force down the rising panic. She closed her eyes and focused on the image of sunlight, of wide-open spaces.

Each minute felt like an hour. She wanted to scream, to pound on the doors, to do anything to break free. She hated feeling so utterly helpless.