Stuck in the Elevator Again | ONC 2022

Loop 6.2

Last edited: 25/4/2022
[Roselyn]

We fell asleep during the wait. That is expected, given that we have nothing to do.

The jolt right under my butt wakes me up, though. I blink a few times as the fog clears up, and my eyes meet Jaxtyn's drowsy ones.

He gives me a tiny smile as he cuddles me closer to him. Even though the smile is tiny, my heart still flips, knowing that he has made a move to heal himself from his pain.

I return a grin, and I am sure my eyes must have been glowing like a headlight that is blinding his eyes because he turns away from me, a light blush tinging his cheeks.

A chuckle leaves my lips as I enjoy his shy features, but another jolt snaps me out of my fantasy. I stand up and extend my hand to him. My heart pounds with glee as he accepts my offer, and I flash him my pearly whites to show my appreciation for his move.

The lights flicker and black out just like before, but this time I am not afraid anymore.

I palm his cheek and give him a soft peck on the lips. "Stay alive for me."

He returns the favor by rubbing his calloused thumb on my cheekbones as he gives out a sigh. "Ok."

My lips curl up in delight, though my eyes portray shock at his reply. He is doing better than I thought.

As the familiar fingers appear, I squeeze his hand to comfort him. Sweat collects on my palms and a lone sweat dribbles down from my forehead, which causes me to use my free arm to swipe the wet strands of hair from my forehead.

"Run to the conference room you have been in as soon as you jump and eat the pill. I'll be in the next room," I whisper.

Jaxtyn nods and grips my hand, the strength of his fingers about to break my bones into pieces. I say nothing about his action, though, understanding that he is experiencing internal turmoil. I just let him release his fear onto my poor palm, praying that I have absorbed enough calcium in my life.

As soon as the fingers disappear, I tug Jaxtyn towards the hole and jump down first, with him following me seconds later.

I give him a firm nod before sprinting down the aisle, keeping an eye on all the zombies and Jaxtyn as I make my way towards my only chance to escape.

A swing from the right hits my back hard, eliciting a groan from me as I double over, my knees dropping onto the floor with a painful thud. I bring my hands onto the lower part of my back, feeling the thick sensation of blood coating my fingers.

An angry growl echoes in the limited space, and I roll further away as another blow is thrown at me.

My eyes meet the offender in reflex, and shock is evident in my eyes as I see the familiar face of the zombie.

The zombie which came into the elevator first during the first time loop.

The zombie who breaks the door open.

How can I be so stupid?

It has been hiding all along. Waiting for the right moment to pounce and diminish our hope.

I stumble to my feet as I ignore the smart pain that is stinging my back, and charge towards my destination. I can't let it catch me. Experience has proved to me that my strength is no match for this zombie.

Is he the one who killed me every single time? I bet he is, given that he is much stronger and more agile than any other zombies I saw.

The sharp surges of wind that are caused by the zombie's every snatch burn my back, and the road that is only around 20 meters long seems like an eternity.

Each time my feet hit the ground, I see myself getting closer to my goal. I can already picture myself gulping the pill in me, and breaking the time loop. I can see the different possibilities afterward.

Maybe I'll survive the apocalypse that comes after escaping the time loop. Perhaps it's just a game that I'll get rewards for, and I'll become famous for winning. Or it is merely a prank that some ghosts trapped me in.

Will it be possible that nothing has ever happened? That life will be back to the way it had always been?

A harsh push on my back has me let out an unexpected scream. I stagger, but I hold on to the door frame in time, regaining my balance.

I don't look back as I reach for the doorknob of the already-opened door, my mind screaming at me to close the door and block the zombie outside.

Just one step left.

One.

My palm wraps around the knob and pulls at it with my whole body weight, ripping it off from its magnet. It swings towards the door frame, and I let go of the knob as quickly as I can, slamming my body onto the inner side of the door.

Smash.

Bang.

The door rattles against the frame as two opposite forces bash onto it at the same time. My heels screech against the floor as it endures the full force of the impact. One of my sweaty palms clutches onto the shelf next to the door for more strength, as the other reaches for the door lock, ready to turn it as soon as the door is fully shut.

The zombie at the opposite side of the door emits a furious roar as it pushes onto the door with more force. I apply more force onto the door in return, registering that if I release the door and run for the pill, I won't be able to take it in before the zombie slices me to pieces.

That realization has me clenching my teeth tighter. As I let out a horrible battle cry and shove onto the door harder, I successfully click the door shut. My fingers immediately rotate the lock, my trembling fingers falling limp only after the lock can be turned no more.

Sliding down the continuously clattering door, I command my quivering body to go to the windowsill. However, all my strength has left me and I drop onto the floor face-first, choking in layers of dust.

I force my arms to crawl forward as my legs become useless, and the muscles in my arms burn as I use excess energy to move.

Hauling myself up, my fingers stretch towards the windowsill. The pill is just within reach, I can already see it. But why can't I touch it?

A loud shatter from outside makes my heart leap out from my body. Suddenly, my fingers are able to snatch onto the pill and bring it right in front of my mouth.

I throw it into my mouth without a second thought.