This reads like a scene not a story. Fear is fleeting and can be achieved quickly. If that is a goal how is it sustained through the entire story? Some things can be dropped and may improve the pace like “local”. This is needed as it doesn’t move the story along. If that word was isolated it would imply be trapped, but local is emotive. A “grim shift” isn’t instantly understandable, what makes it grim? Describing that may give a better understanding. Is the shift grim because the place is grim? Working in a disturbing environment gives a no where to run feeling, a single shift isn’t as threatening.

Wanting someone’s fear isn’t much of a goal. Why they want the fear may give some structure.

I can see the bones of a good story. I hope this helps.