Gemotions

The silence was deafening, punctuated only by the occasional groan of the elevator. Emily watched her co-worker, John, stare at the floor. Three hours. She could practically feel the weight of his silence.

"We should be out of here soon," she offered, trying to be encouraging.

He didn't respond, just continued to stare at the floor. She watched the color drain from his face, and his shoulders slump. She saw his hands clench into fists and the muscles tighten along his jaw. He looked defeated. His eyes were empty, devoid of anything but a profound sense of despair.

She felt helpless, unsure of how to reach him.