He broke off again. His eyes filled, and he pressed a fist against his mouth, his shoulders heaving once, twice. The judge leaned forward, a look of grim pity on her face.
The prosecutor stepped forward. "Mr. Vance, please tell the court what happened when you opened the basement door." aposiopesis
Elias took a ragged breath. The memory surged up, sharp and jagged. "I reached for the handle," he began, his voice barely a whisper. "The wood was cold. I could hear… I could hear a sound like—" He broke off again
: Elias stops because his grief and horror are "inexpressible". his shoulders heaving once