I twisted my hair into a ponytail, tucking it under my cap and lowering the brim. Then I took a final look around the room full of strangers, wondering which of them would help me escape, and which would try to kill me.
I found myself being naturally attracted to the corner of the elevator. It's where I could observe everyone while being secure from the threat of 'backstabbing'. Nobody really noticed me walk over to claim one of them as my own. Even though the elevator had stopped as much as ten minutes ago, some of the passengers were still desperately trying to get a cell phone signal.
Why don't they just believe that old man? The building that we're in is from the 1800's. It's close to becoming one of the biggest artifacts in our historical town, but for now they're still trying to harness whatever little sustainability it has left to be an office for a small scale clothing company. The only elevator in the building, which also happens to be the one I'm in now, doesn't have any vents built into it. The building only get's internet service, and that was only after begging the providers. There were no cheap cellular options that would be able to conquer this dead zone.
I shifted my sight over the five other people in the elevator. We all were the only ones left after closing time and since no one is allowed to stay in the building after twelve by company policy, we were all just heading out. I thought it was rather coincidental when we were all trying to cram in an elevator but I suppose god could have played a hand in this.
The large woman gave an angry huff before stuffing her cell phone away while the old man's voice rung in my ears. Wow, I guess I accidentally tuned them out. I should probably listen in though considering don't know any of these people at all. I was just here to pick up some papers that I couldn't end up finding for my frantic mother. Oh, my mom must be so worried right now! Maybe not though since she's exhausted from that fever of hers and could have fallen prey to sleep again. And without my dad or my brother in town, I can only pray that one of these people happens to have a very considerate fireman as a brother
There was another woman behind the one in the middle. I had to tilt my head to see her face around the larger woman's shoulders. The woman had a stoic face and she was focusing her eyes solidly at the ground. Her eyebrows were almost furrowed into her eyes and her muscular build was extremely tense.
I tried to inconspicuously push my own cell phone with my Hello Kitty case farther into my pocket. I doubt these people would like the joke right now. Across the elevator, there was another man who claimed a corner who seemed to be unperturbed as I was. I was lying though; on the outside I was trying to remain calm but if they all grew suddenly quiet I bet they could hear my heart pounding. The man returned my stare with one of his own. There were deep bags under his eyes, which appeared pitch black in the dim elevator light.
A bit intimidated to match eyes with him, I broke contact and examined the last two people. One was an older man which a full head of white hair. His fragile, lanky build barely seemed to support the resilient look he had on his face. I was hoping I could make friends with him since he seemed to know quite a bit already, but I wasn't about to advance on anyone now. Contrary to him, the man to his left was extremely distraught. His sweaty fingers kept on stumbling over his keypad as he repeatedly mumbled something about 'the kids' and 'Susan'.
“We're going to run out of air!” The round woman cried, still breathing heavily.
The old man was the only one who spoke up again. He spoke after a few seconds, probably realizing no one else would chirp in, “The best thing we can do right now is to calm down. The way you're acting is just shortening all of our time in here.”
I tilted my head down, hoping the brim of my cap would cover the fact of how wide my eyes grew. He's already convinced we're going to die in here? Doesn't he have a plan?! I don't want to die!
