Elevator Quest

1

Autumn sunshine painted the floor of the large lobby, the décor old but impressive. Crowds of people were hurrying to elevators, ready to start a day’s work. Arnold sighed as he walked through the double doors of the office building that had become his second home. His muscles were still sore from his heavy workout the night prior. Arnold subconsciously rubbed his arm, his gaze coming up to meet that of his personal assistant, Ann Richards.

The older, brown-haired European woman was waiting for him at the entrance to the elevators. Without a word, she fell into step beside him. They hurried into a waiting, packed elevator. He buttoned the top button of his exquisite black suit as he glanced around at the other people, many of whom eyed the large African American curiously. He returned their stares with a broad smile.

A young Brazilian woman looked up at him from near the elevator control panel.

“What floor?”

Her expectant gray eyes immediately caught Arnold’s attention.

“Twenty-seventh floor please,” he said. Arnold presented her with a dashing smile, which she returned, blushing slightly.

Pressing the button, she looked down toward the floor as the elevator doors closed.

Tasha watched the whole scene from the back of the elevator, a low sigh escaping her lips. She glanced from Arnold to the Brazilian woman, her stomach tightening.

Shaking her head, she muttered under her breath.

The words weren’t clearly audible, but if someone had listened closely enough, they would have heard a short rant about black men and light-skinned women. Tasha glanced at her own reflection in the elevator wall. There was insecurity in her gaze. Her gaze lingered on her own dark brown skin. Tasha noticed a Japanese American man watching her from the other side of the elevator. Suddenly caught, he glanced toward the ceiling, feigning innocence. Letting out another sigh, Tasha pulled out her smartphone and turned up the volume to her earbuds. The elevator started to rapidly ascend.

Arnold leaned back against the wall. Thoughts of his busy schedule filled his mind. He would be giving a presentation to the CEO in an hour, and he felt that he was just steps away from being appointed the next managing director of his firm.

A crackle of electricity could be heard from above. A few people glanced around, seeking reassurance. The lights in the elevator began to flicker. Gasps went up from throughout the packed metal box.

“What in the world?”

Glances of concern were exchanged.

Arnold pushed through the crowd toward the control panel. The elevator began to slow before eventually coming to a stop. Arnold glanced up at the ceiling. The sounds of creaking cables caused his heart to skip a beat. Looking around with a controlled calm, his years of service in Iraq rushing back to the forefront of his mind, Arnold went into emergency mode.

“Everyone remain still!” he shouted. His booming voice pulled the attention of everyone in the elevator.

Tasha hit pause on her smartphone.

“What’s happening?” the Japanese man asked. He locked eyes with Arnold, the two immediately in tune with one another. The elevator suddenly lurched as it dropped down a few feet. Screams filled the elevator.

Arnold moved to the door and clawed at the gap, his powerful arms slowly inching the doors apart.

“We’re all going to die!” yelled a younger black man. He ran to the door, trying to help Arnold pry it open. Another lurch sent a few people stumbling to the ground.

Silence permeated the elevator. No breaths were heard as they were caught in throats. Cold sweats broke out. The rhythmic drumming of heartbeats filled the metal box. A tortured shriek of metal twisting and tearing blotted out all sound. A loud snap echoed throughout the elevator like thunder. Air whooshed by as its horrible howl sung their impending demise. Lungs vacated as screams filled the cabin.

“Oh Lord, I’m going to die a virgin!” Tasha shouted. The woman dropped to her knees, clutching her head, tears streaming down her face. She experienced weightlessness. Arnold and the other black man were knocked off balance. They lost their grips on the door, prompting it to slam shut.

Arnold took in a deep breath. He closed his eyes and mouthed a silent prayer.

Laura screamed as she watched the numbers rapidly tick down. The Brazilian woman clutched hold of the tall white man who had anchored himself into the corner of the elevator.

“Where are the emergency brakes?” shouted the younger black man.

Arnold shook his head.

“This building is too old,” the Japanese man replied. The floor indicator hit 11, then 5, then B2. Everything around them exploded into a storm of dust and metal. Their bodies were thrown all around as they came to an abrupt stop. A film of dust settled over the area. The sudden silence caused a ringing in their ears. The elevator’s speakers let off a dinging sound. The doors struggled to open, the twisted metal scraping against the tracks.

Arnold tried to get his bearings. The metal box was a mess with crumpled metal everywhere and bodies strewn all around.

“Is everyone ok?” he shouted.

The voices of twelve people replied, everyone still very much alive. Quickly getting up, he checked himself for injuries and then smiled at his good fortune—nothing but minor scratches. He moved to the door and peeked his head out. A frown plastered itself across his face.

2

“I don’t recognize the area,” Arnold said.

“Never been to the service level before?” the Japanese man replied.

“I’ve done my share of exploring.”

The man moved to look outside. Pushing past Arnold, he caught sight of an earthen corridor stretching out on both sides of the elevator door.

“Ok, I don’t recognize this area either.” He looked at Arnold.

Arnold carefully moved to exit the elevator. The man followed, and they both stood outside in silence, evaluating their situation. Arnold looked the other man up and down.

“US Army?”

“Marines.”

“Arnold Stetson. Retired Army Major,” Arnold said.

The two men locked arms in a handshake.

“Captain Jiro Sato.”

“It looks clear. We’ll need to scout.”

Both men glanced back into the elevator. The rest of the people looked at them with fear etched across their faces.

“You. What’s your name?” Arnold nodded to the young black man who had moved to help him earlier.

The man glanced around. He pointed to himself, mouthing “Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“James Cooper…” he responded hesitantly.

“I want you to come with me. We’re going to scout the area.”

“Scout the area?” James asked. Fear crept into his voice. He slowly stepped forward.

Arnold nodded and then looked to Jiro. The marine was already moving to hug the rocky wall opposite the elevator entrance.

“Look man,” James said. “I’ve never served in the military… I’m not sure what I can do to help.”

“Just follow my instructions and you’ll be fine,” Arnold said.

“What about the rest of us?” Tasha asked.

Arnold glanced back at her and then to the other people who shuffled nervously inside of the damaged elevator. Arnold glanced at Jiro as he made the corner and then quickly turned back to Tasha.

“Hold tight,” Arnold said.

He motioned for James to follow. The two approached Jiro from behind.

“Hold tight?” Tasha said. She glanced around at the other people in the elevator, its lights flickering in the darkness. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means stay put and keep quiet,” a tall European man near the corner of the elevator said, watching her.

Tasha looked over at him.

“And you are?”

“Damon…” he responded. “And I’d listen to Mr. Army if I were you.”

Tasha moved back into a crouching position. She glanced down at her smartphone. She had no signal, only empty bars telling her that music wasn’t an option. Clicking the photo button on her phone, she switched it to the forward-facing camera and snapped a picture of herself with a pouting expression.

Laura caught sight of the action and pulled out her own smartphone. She angled the camera up high to capture herself in the destroyed elevator and snapped a picture of her own.

Damon rolled his eyes.

Jiro shook his head as Arnold arrived next to him. Both men exchanged hand signals. James looked between the two, his brow furrowed. He sighed. With another motion from Arnold, Jiro headed out of cover and disappeared around the corner. Arnold moved up, watching the marine slowly investigate the area. After a few tense moments, Jiro returned to the two men.

“It’s clear in the immediate area,” Jiro said. “There’s a door up there. No telling what may be waiting behind.”

“Waiting behind?” James said. “What exactly do you guys think is going on here?”

“I don’t know,” Arnold replied. “But I do know that all of this is wrong. I’ve been over every inch of this building, and this area doesn’t exist.”

“Agreed,” Jiro said.

“Are you saying this is some kind of terrorist attack?” James asked.

“That’s always a possibility,” Jiro replied. “It’s best if we move as a group. Let’s go round up the others.” Jiro turned and started heading back toward the elevator.

“Agreed.” Arnold fell into step behind Jiro.

James watched the two, his jaw clenched tight. His heart was beating a mile a minute. He imagined terrorists waiting behind the door up ahead, the bastards just itching to gun them down. Gulping hard, he ran to catch up with the two vets.

3

“Alright people, we need to move,” Arnold said in a commanding voice. “There’s a door up ahead, we should scrape together what we can to make weapons and go for it.”

“Weapons? You can’t be serious,” an East Indian woman countered. There was raw disbelief in her voice.

“I’m afraid so, Ms... Ms?”

“Anusha, Anusha Banerjee,” the woman said. Her light brown gaze jumped from Arnold to Jiro, seeking confirmation. After a brief second, her gaze swept across the rest of the people in the elevator, gauging their responses.

Tasha glanced up at Arnold from her seat on the floor. Fear clawed at her insides. She quickly pocketed her smartphone.

“Wouldn’t it make more sense to just stay here until help arrives?” Tasha asked.

“Not necessarily, Tasha.”

“You know my name?” Tasha stared at Arnold, her face scrunched up.

“I know the names of all of the high performers in my organization,” Arnold answered.

“Your organization?”

“Yes, I’m Arnold Stetson, your boss’ boss’ boss.”

Tasha’s face went as pale as a black girl’s could. She stared at Arnold as her heart sank—here was the Senior Vice President and she hadn’t even recognized him!

“If this was a terrorist attack, chances are we’re still in danger,” Jiro chimed in. He glanced down the earthen corridor, expecting a band of jihadists to round the bend with weapons blazing at any moment.

“Or maybe they just plan to drown us…” the tone of James’ voice caused almost everyone to tense up.

Every person turned to face the young man. He stared off toward the other end of the earthen corridor. James pointed with a hollow gaze. Both Jiro and Arnold turned to see water seeping in through a series of new cracks in the wall.

“Let’s move people!” Arnold shouted.

He motioned for everyone to get out of the elevator. The water was now gushing in.

“Where are we going?” a shorter, white man asked.

His black hoodie hung down past his waist, partially obscuring the top half of his khakis.

“Follow me, Jiro take up the rear!”

“Yes Sir!” Jiro shouted.

Arnold barreled down the hallway, a trail of water kicked up with every step. The group filed out of the elevator.

Anusha froze, the water now up to her knees. She closed her eyes, memories flooding in. She began to shiver.

“It’s ok. Just take my hand.” Jiro moved toward her.

Anusha opened her eyes slowly and glanced from the water back up to his hand. She slowly reached out and took hold. He gingerly pulled her along. They exited the elevator. Within seconds of them clearing the small, metal box, the door sounded its characteristic “ding” as it quickly shut its doors behind them. Jiro glanced back with a furrowed brow, but forged on, pulling Anusha right behind him.

Arnold rushed up a set of stairs toward a large metal door. Pressing his ear against the door, he strained to hear any sound on the other side. The thick door made his job harder, and the sound of splashing feet made any quiet noise undetectable. Jiro quickly moved through the crowd and onto the steps, joining Arnold with his ear against the door. Arnold motioned for everyone to be silent. The water was up to the waists of those near the bottom.

After a few moments of trying, Jiro shook his head. He glanced at the door and then back at Arnold, both men unhappy with the situation. Reluctantly nodding, Jiro slowly pushed the door open. Pausing for a moment, he peered through the slit, his breath frozen in his throat. He saw a clear open area surrounded by more earthen walls. Slowly, he pushed the door open wider.

Arnold moved past him and through the door, motioning for James and the rest to follow.

Jiro glanced back at the water, hurrying the others through. Finally, he slipped through, closing the door behind him. As soon as the seal was in place, a mechanism began to shift within the door, and Jiro heard the telltale sound of a lock falling into place. Jiro frowned. He realized that they now had no option for retreat.

The door was locked.

4

Grey stone walls and white gravel floors greeted the crowd. Their eyes adjusted to the darker surroundings, the ambiance akin to a cave dimly lit by moonlight.

“It’s locked…” Jiro said.

Everyone in the group turned to see Jiro shaking his head. He tried to move the door again, with no luck.

“I guess there’s no going back.” Arnold looked over the group.

“Because drowning was totally a viable option,” the young man in the hoodie said. His voice was filled with sarcasm, his attitude not sitting well with Arnold.

“And you are?”

“Oh, is this the part where we all get buddy-buddy and learn each other’s names?” He let out an insincere laugh. “The smart move back there would have been to open the top of the elevator and ride the water back up.”

“Chill bro,” a Korean man said. He motioned downward with his hands.

“So why didn’t you suggest that then?” Jiro countered. He crossed his arms and his eyes narrowed.

“Hold tight! Follow me! Blah blah blah, military BS,” the man in the hoodie replied. He began to walk away from the group. “It’s hard to get in any suggestions when you’re barking orders.” He turned back around to face them, expecting to see nods of approval from others in the group. The eyes of every person were locked on him, many with masks of concern. Several backed away.

“Don’t move,” Arnold said. He held out his hand, his gaze looking past the young man.

Before the man in the hoodie could hear it, he felt it.

There was an ominous presence behind him, the feeling thick in the air. Then he heard it—the sound confirming his deepest fears—heavy breathing rasping somewhere just beyond his ear. The hairs on the back of his neck were already standing on end, a feeling of dread rising from within his gut.

Arnold began to approach him slowly.

The urge to turn around became overwhelming for the young man in the hoodie. Not heading the advice of the veterans who motioned for him to remain perfectly still, he cautiously began to turn around. His eyes gradually took in the sight of matted white hair, sickly pale skin and black rotten teeth. A throaty growl erupted from the monstrous creature. It lifted its rotten club and charged at him.

The fact that the creature was a foot shorter than the man in the hoodie didn’t negate the terror that now paralyzed him. He stumbled backward and fell to the ground. With a smug look of joy at such an easy kill, the creature began to bring its club down.

Arnold launched his entire body forward like a missile. The giant of a man connected squarely with the chest of the creature. Both bodies went sprawling to the ground. Surprised by the unexpected move, the monster thrashed on the floor as it punched at Arnold furiously. It grabbed Arnold by the shoulder and threw him toward the opposite wall with surprising strength.

A short, blond-haired man rushed at the creature as it began to rise. It caught sight of him too early. The creature brought its club across in a powerful whack. The weapon connected squarely against the side of the man’s head. A sickening thud echoed throughout the area. The blond-haired man collapsed to the ground, unmoving.

Turning its attention back toward its original prey, it met James’ fist, the surprise attack connecting with the monster squarely in the eye. The force of James’ strike sent the creature stumbling back a step.

James followed through with another punch, his years of street boxing coming back to him in full force. The quick jab connected with its throat. The dirty strike sent the creature gagging for air. Enraged, the monster swung its club in a wide swing that cannoned into James’ stomach. He reeled backwards, pain assaulting his senses. His vision blurred.

The creature loomed above James, smiling horribly through crooked teeth. Then Jiro arrived, landing two solid blows on the creature’s weapon arm. The creature shrieked and dropped its club. Jiro followed up with a flurry of blows against its chest. Each hit sent the monster back a step.