Gemotions

The steel doors slammed shut with a metallic groan, plunging the small elevator into a stifling silence. Michael squared his shoulders, puffing out his chest a little. Across from him, Sarah looked increasingly pale. "Don't worry," he announced, his voice a touch louder than necessary. "I'll get us out of here."

He immediately began to press all the buttons, one after the other, even though he knew it wouldn't work. His pulse hammered against his ribs. He felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple. The flickering emergency light cast long, dancing shadows.

"Maybe we should call for help?" Sarah suggested, her voice barely a whisper. Michael scoffed. “No need. I can handle this.” He knelt and began to pry at the panel covering the controls, his brow furrowed in concentration. The metal was stubborn.

He grunted with the effort, his knuckles white. He imagined the headlines: "Heroic Michael Saves Coworker from Elevator Ordeal!" This thought propelled him further. He would fix this. He *had* to.