Gemotions

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, a maddening counterpoint to the quiet desperation filling the elevator. I stared at the numbers above the door, refusing to meet the other person's gaze. Each passing minute felt like an hour, each creak of the machinery a threat.

My hands trembled as I tried to unlock my phone. No signal. Of course. Why wouldn't it be? I wanted to scream, to pound on the metal walls, but I couldn't. I was frozen, the air around me thick and suffocating.

I finally managed to mumble, "How long do you think...?" But the words felt lost in the stagnant air.