Gemotions

He felt the ascent stall with a sickening lurch. His heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. The small cabin seemed to shrink around him. The air grew thick, suffocating. Michael swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure, but his limbs felt heavy, unresponsive.

"Damn it," Sarah muttered, her voice tight. "This always happens."

Michael's vision blurred at the edges. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. He imagined the mechanisms failing, the cables snapping. He imagined the sudden drop, the crushing impact.

"Hey, are you alright?" Sarah asked, her voice laced with concern.

Michael just shook his head, unable to form words. He focused on his breath, forcing himself to inhale, exhale. The silence stretched, amplifying his internal turmoil. He felt like he was falling.