Gemotions

The steel doors slammed shut with a clang that echoed in the confined space. Amelia gasped, her hand flying to her chest. She hated elevators, always had. The way the cables held them suspended, the potential for a freefall... it was all too much.

“Oh, great,” Mark, her coworker, sighed, pressing the call button repeatedly. “Just our luck.”

Amelia’s breathing quickened. She took a step back, her shoulder bumping the cold metal wall. A cold sweat prickled her skin. Her mind raced, picturing all the ways this could go wrong. The lights flickered, casting dancing shadows. She felt her stomach lurch.

“Are you alright, Amelia?” Mark’s voice sounded distant. She nodded, unable to speak, her throat constricted. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to regulate her erratic breaths. The thought of being trapped, helpless, consumed her.