A written exercise for one of my writer's groups. The idea came from the July Issue of "Writer's Digest"

I had so much fun with it, I wanted to share.

TRAPPED!

"Hold those doors!" the young man called as he caught the elevator for his pregnant wife who came from a check-up with her Gyn.

A middle-aged woman smiled at the happy couple. "When's the big day?"

"Any day now, according to the doctor. The due date isn't for a couple of weeks, but you never know," he said smiling.

The elevator dropped one floor as a bell rang; the doors opening on the tenth floor.

Several more people entered the boxcar. A mother with a two-year old, an elderly man in his late sixties using a cane, and a younger couple in their late twenties.

"I'm hungry!" whined the toddler, pulling on the hem of his mother's blouse.

"We can get an ice cream cone on the way home, Kyle," she said.

"Get your hands off me," the young girl snarled at the young man next to her who had attempted to put his arm around her waist. Although they had entered the elevator together, by the angered look on her face, it was obvious to those around them, that she was upset over some issue.

A slight air of tension filled the boxcar as the doors opened on the seventh floor.

Seeing more people waiting to enter, each person inside took a few steps back to make more room.

By the time the doors opened on the fourth floor, the people inside were packed like an overstuffed suitcase.

Anxious children, men, and women of all ages and sizes waited to arrive on the first floor, where they could exit the building and move out into the fresh air.

Three......two.......nothing.

One of the children noticed the elevator seemed stuck, "What happened?"

A middle-aged woman began to hyperventilate.

"Is she all right?" the elderly man glanced over at the woman who was now the center of attention.

"She'll be fine," a friend of hers said smiling as she whispered words of comfort to her.

Moments ticked as the level of tolerance diminished.

"We're not moving!" another child panicked.

Sounds of people murmuring filled the enclosed space as several of the men tried reaching over to the control panel to rectify the situation.

"Everyone, please remain calm. I'm sure we will be moving in just a little while," the younger man tried re-assuring the desperate passengers.

"I can't breathe!" shouted the elderly man now gasping for air.

"Would you just relax? There is plenty of air in here."

"Yeah, plenty of hot air!" another grumbled.

"Oh my gosh!" the pregnant woman cried.

"Honey, are you all right?" her husband wrapped his arm around her shoulder for support and proceeded to start the breathing techniques they learned in class.

An older woman bowed her head in prayer, "Father, we ask that you receive your children into your arms......"

"Will someone shut her up?"

The boxcar bounced with a thud. Everyone held their breath as they stared at the number two and watched as it dropped to one.

"Thank you God!"

Each one breathed sighs of relief as they pressed forward once the doors creaked open.