Stuck in the Elevator Again | ONC 2022

Loop 2.1

Last edited: 25/4/2022
[Roselyn]
(TRIGGER WARNING)

Pain. Everywhere.

My eye.

My calf.

My arms.

My abdomen.

And most importantly, my heart.

Gasp.

I stumble, but my hands grab the railing for support in time. Taking a few seconds to catch my breath, I place my forehead onto the cool metal, the aftermath claiming all my attention.

Stomp, plump. Moan.

I put my elbows onto the railing and settle my head in between my palms. Tears spill from my farded eyes and form small pools on the floor, smearing my makeup that was caked onto my face. My body shakes, uncontrollable sobs taking over my incoherent mind.

Growl. Crunch. Munch.

My knees give way and I slump onto the floor. I pull my knees close to my chest, my forearms hiding my head from all the dangers around.

Screams.

My salty tears dampen my pants, the wet sensation sticking onto my skin.

Even crying my heart out doesn't help.

I still feel the pain. The unbearable, searing pain.

One bite here. Some flesh was torn from my body. Another bite there. The next chunk of flesh was lost.

It feels so real. Too real.

But if it's real, why am I in this elevator, getting ready for my interview?

If it's real, why am I still... alive?

The jolt of the elevator shakes me out of my traumatic state.

Jolt?

I raise my head to check the elevator screen.

It reads 70th floor.

70th floor.

My breath hitches as the realistic but impossible memories flood my mind.

- - - - -

I could see a bloody finger drag its pad across the elevator door, as the creature crawled in, leaving a trail behind. A high-pitched shrill sounded outside, and those red-eyes monsters immediately fought to file into the elevator. They locked their gazes onto the only two sane people in the shiny blue and silver box, and without a second thought, they threw themselves onto us as if we were some kind of mouth-watering snack.

Mr. Uburg shouted for me to get under his body and immediately shielded me from the attacks with his broad back. His terrified and pain-filled screams were the only sounds I heard. His fingers gripped onto the railings and his feet propped onto the wall, preventing the monsters from breaking through the barrier he created.

What is happening? WHAT IS HAPPENING?

I was petrified as blood dripped out of his mouth, drip drop, drip drop. I stared at the crimson liquid that stained his luscious lips, but a reassuring smile appeared on it as he saw me looking.

"It's going to be ok, close your eyes," he mouths, his breath too shallow to verbalize.

I gulped down the last bit of saliva down my parched throat and obeyed. I closed my eyes and let the darkness gulp me.

How pathetic? I just got a panic attack because of the dark, and now I'm relying on it. Hypothetical, pitiful, weak. Useless piece of shit. Scumbag. Bitch. You can't even help Jaxtyn when he needs you the most. OPEN YOUR DAMN EYES, YOU DIPSTICK!

More tears swim down my cheeks. I don't want to open my eyes, I don't want to! I don't want to...

The feeling of a warm and thick liquid on my forehead made my eyelashes flutter. The sensation coursed down to my cheek and rolled into my shirt.

I unclasped my eyes as my fingers touched the origin of the warm sensation. I moved my sticky fingers in front of my squinting eyes and I froze in place.

Blood.

I craned my rigid neck and saw the most horrifying sight in my entire life: Mr. Uburg's limp body hanging on top of me, growing cold and motionless.

His body swayed towards me and his chest hit me hard on the head. I let out a sob as his blood painted me, like I was the canvas, and he was the colors.

Realization dawned on me. The safe barrier Mr. Uburg formed for me was gone.

I am exposed.

That was when the first bite came. Then the second. Then the third.

Mr. Uburg's body slumped to the side as the monsters turned their attention to me. They started their feast, and all I could do was hide in the protective shell I created with my trembling arms and my devastating screams.

Someone help me! Please!

I swung my arms at whatever objects that came towards me, but I was no match to the dozens of monsters. They pinned me down with their weight, growling and spitting saliva in my face. The others jumped on top and sank their teeth into anywhere they could.

In between the pain, I heard the soft inhuman growl that resonated right beside me. Mr. Uburg's bloodshot eyes bored into me and lust filled them instantly. He growled before pouncing onto me as well, diving under the other monsters and getting right on top of me. He licked his canines before leaving a powerful bite on my neck. His sharp nails dug deep into my chest, yearning for something more, something delicious.

I stayed still as I felt my energy drain from me. I didn't fight back anymore. I surrendered to the dark force that was taking over my consciousness.

The last thing I remember was the rogue tear sliding down my face, blending well with the blood trail that was already there.

- - - - -

I bite into my sleeve and let out a muffled scream. No, that is not real. It is just a bad dream. This is a modern world with problems like global warming and COVID-19, but there is no such thing as zombies. It is impossible!

But if it's fake, then why am I not reaching for the emergency button now? To seek help?

No, zombies cannot be real, and even if it is, me reviving from the dead isn't. I'm just overthinking. Probably because of the zombie novels I have been reading. It's just... it's just a dream...

As my brain starts to overload because of the vast amount of information, my malfunctioning mind decides to do the only thing it does best. As weariness billows me, I let fatigue take over.

I want to avoid dealing with this situation yet. Just, let me be free from all my worries for now.

Even though I know this is not what I should be doing. That this may be the worst move that I have ever made.