Love Thaws: Melting

Ever Changing

Elsa tugged her hair out of its austere bun as she left the office building. Another day, another job interview. She couldn't wait to change out of her blouse and pencil skirt. She took the elevator to the parking garage level 2. A man stepped in with her. He had short brown hair underneath a gray fedora and dark brown eyes. Average height, average weight. Average. Not attractive, not ugly. Plain. He appeared to be entirely at ease in the elevator, like he did this every day. His eyes were very still, staring at some fixed point in the distance. His nostrils were slightly flared. Elsa thought this was... odd. His body language contradicted itself.

He casually walked to the panel of buttons and pushed one. The elevator stopped descending. The man turned towards her, whipping a hand gun out of his blazer. Elsa inhaled sharply and froze. His grip and the gun tightened and the trigger was pressed with a tiny 'click.'

Time seemed to freeze. Nothing moved. Elsa distantly heard breathing and the steady pound of a heart, recognizing it as her own. 

The man pressed the trigger again before shaking the gun in confusion and letting out a string of vile swear words. Elsa discreetly scooted to the elevator doors, pressing the floor 2 button again. The movement caught the man's attention he lunged for her with something shiny in his hand. 

Elsa gasped and backed away in time to avoid being gutted by the knife. With a cheery 'ding' that seemed an odd contrast to the situation, the elevator stopped, the metal doors smoothly sliding open. 

Elsa sprinted as fast as she could in high heels. As she ran, the high heels slipped off of her feet. Elsa heard heavy footsteps behind her and could practically feel him breathing down her neck. With a flick of her wrist, she took out the car keys and unlocked it, slamming the door shut and locking it behind her.

She started the ignition. Elsa pulled into reverse before driving forward at full speed, swerving through the parking garage. Her knuckles on the steering wheel were white as she raced home, oblivious to the speed limit. 

She glanced down and saw red seeping through her white blouse. Elsa swallowed and forced her gaze upwards, ignoring the cold nausea churning within her. She figured that she was in shock. Elsa was thankful she couldn't feel the effects of her wound yet. If the pain hit her in full force, she doubted she'd still be driving. 

Elsa pressed the gas pedal down further. She nearly missed their house. She slammed on the brakes, her body ramming into the steering wheel from the inertia. She leaned back and pulled into the drive way. Elsa opened the car door and stood on wobbly legs. She put a hand to her stomach. She felt something warm and wet on her hand. So close. Elsa stumbled towards the front door. She had barely taken a few steps when her legs gave out. Her body went limp and darkness overtook her before she could fight it.

XXXXXXXX

Jack sighed impatiently. Elsa had pulled into the driveway several minutes ago, but had yet to come into the house. He stood up, deciding to see what was taking her so long. He didn't like these job interviews. And Elsa didn't have to work. But apparently she needed something to occupy her time with. Jack wished she would've let him come. She'd left while he was lifting weights, leaving a note. Jack scowled. He'd have a talk with her. 

The door creaked quietly on its hinges, swinging outwards. His heart nearly stopped. He ran to Elsa's side, falling to his knees. The pavement underneath her was stained a bright red. His hands trembled as he gently rolled her over, careful not to jostle her body. There was an angry red gash across her stomach. Jack began to feel nauseous. He placed his arms behind her neck and underneath her knees with excruciating care. He hoped there weren't any ripped organs. He couldn't take her to the hospital, obviously.