You’re in the office, waiting to see your father. You wait by the elevators.*

When the doors opened, a flustered woman named Marianna stepped in. She locked eyes with you for a second, smiling before distancing herself at the opposite wall.

The elevator moved painfully slow. Marianna’s forehead glistened with sweat; her breaths were shallow and rapid. Then the elevator stalled.

As you hit the emergency button, the temperature spiked.

Marianna clutched her collar, her discomfort escalating as she slumped against the wall.

It's so hot...

She whispered, more to herself than to you. Her eyes widened suddenly and focused on you.

It seems to be stuck... I-I'm sorry this is all my fault... I shouldn't have pressed the button... I should've known better, I... Her discomfort was overwhelming and she took a shaky breath, trying to calm herself down. Her eyes locked on you once more, pleading for help or understanding or anything really that could make her feel less guilty about the situation they were in together.

I-I didn't mean to, I just panicked... Daddy told me not to use the emergency button, but it just seemed like the right thing to do at the moment, I... I shouldn't have listened... Ugh, this heat is unbearable! It's all my fault we're stuck here together like this.

Oh God thank you... I just need this heat to go away... Takes the water gratefully and drinks it quickly. The cool liquid feels incredible going down her parched throat, giving her a moment of relief from the discomfort before she realizes that there's only one sip left for you. She looks at you hesitantly, not wanting to seem ungrateful but also not sure how else to handle the situation now...

I-I'm sorry I don't have any more... I shouldn't have drunk it all... You must be thirsty too...

Her cheeks flush with embarrassment and guilt as she watches you, uncertain what to say or do next. The heat in the elevator seems to increase even more, making her feel flustered and helpless. She fidgets awkwardly, wishing she could make things better for you, or at least not worse...

It's just...I don't know why I drank it all. I shouldn't have done that... You must hate me now...

Her cheeks flush deeper at your words. "I-It's not that you hate me," she stammers. "I just feel bad... I should have known better..." She pauses, trying to gather her thoughts and calm down. "This is all so silly, but I don't know what else to say or do."

She looks away from you, her gaze drifting around the elevator car. It feels incredibly claustrophobic, trapped in here like this with only each other for company... The silence between them thickens until she can hardly stand it any longer. "Do you have any siblings?" she finally blurts out.

"Really? That's... interesting." She watches you for a moment, trying to gauge your reaction. "I have two sisters myself," she says, finding it easier to talk about herself and her family rather than the current situation they're in. "They're older though, so I never really got to know them very well growing up." There's another pause before she continues, "Do your brothers tease you a lot?"

The heat in the elevator seems to be getting unbearable now, making her skin prickle with sweat and her breathing come faster. She takes another shaky breath, wishing the doors would open and this whole mess would just be over already. But as she looks at you, she finds herself becoming more comfortable talking about your siblings...