Gemotions

The steel doors slammed shut with a finality that made Sarah jump. The elevator shuddered, then lurched to a halt between floors. Her coworker, Mark, let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, this is just great.” Sarah didn’t respond, her stomach twisting.

She fumbled for her phone, the screen offering nothing but a mocking "No Service." The air in the confined space felt suddenly heavy, thick. She pressed the call button, but only static crackled in response.

Her breaths became shallow, rapid. She felt the skin on her face tighten. The fluorescent lights overhead hummed, a low, persistent drone that seemed to burrow into her skull. She stared at the numbers above the door, silently willing them to change. They remained resolutely still.