Gemotions

He tried to keep his voice steady. "They'll get us out, right?" He couldn't shake the picture of the cables snapping, plummeting into a dark abyss, from his mind. He swallowed hard.

The temperature in the elevator seemed to fluctuate wildly. One moment he was sweating, the next he was shivering. He kept fidgeting, adjusting his tie, then smoothing his hair. He walked in tight circles.

He found himself rambling, telling his coworker, Maria, about his dog, his vacation plans, anything to fill the void. He chattered on, his words tumbling out faster and faster, as if he could outrun the anxiety that threatened to consume him.