Just step in. It's fine. You can do this.
Her breath hitched, and despite her internal pep talk, her legs refused to move.
The thought of the confined space made her palms sweat. She took a step back, shaking her head.
"Not today," she whispered under her breath, turning on her heel.
The staircase it was.
The climb to the 29th floor was grueling. With each step, her determination wavered.
By the 15th floor, her breath came in gasps, and by the 20th, she was silently cursing her decision. But her pride wouldn't let her stop.
When she finally reached the 29th floor, her legs felt like jelly, and her heart was pounding in her chest.
She leaned against the wall for a moment, wiping the sweat from her brow and trying to compose herself.
Then, with sudden panic, she realized—I have to hurry!
Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she half-walked, half-ran toward the elevator bank.