Banana Bus Squad One-Shots

Trapped Inside ~ BrOhm

Ryan clung onto his father's arm in pure fear as the elevator eased down towards the main area. Hazel eyes scanned the walls, some large posters covering certain parts to distract others from the true horrors that were this elevator, but Ryan wasn't buying it. The father noticed his son's uneasiness, bringing his free arm up to rub Ryan's head of hair reassuringly.

"Hey, hey it's okay. I only need to watch you for tonight while Mommy is out. We'll be out in no time as long as you listen and stay close to me. Got that, champ?" Ryan forced a smile, although he still didn't trust this place. The elevator dinged noisily, it's door opening slowly to reveal an office-like room. Ryan followed hesitantly until him and his father were in the center of the room. A loud PA system then boomed from its speakers, a loud voice deeming instructions and causing Ryan to jump.

"Hello and welcome back to your first night this week. We need you to head to the parts and service room and reboot the system manually since it had malfunctions last night. Just head through Ballora gallery and remember to move as quickly and quietly as possible as to not disturb Ballora. Please proceed to the Parts and Service room immediately."

The annoying voice cut off, the tenseness in Ryan's shoulders dissipating. A vent popped open swiftly to his left, leading to Ryan raising an eyebrow out of suspicion and look up at his father for a hopeful answer.

"Listen here, Ryan. I need you to follow me and move as slow as possible. When I stop, you stop."

"Wait, but the guy just said-"

"Forget what that guy said." His father's voice rose a bit, but he lowered it at the realization of how loud he was. "They have yet to fix those instructions so everyone has to ignore it. Just follow me, okay?" Obeying, Ryan slowly nodded, accompanying his father when he crouched to crawl through the vent unwillingly.

With each movement of knees and elbows, the vent vibrated with rambunctious thumping, eventually becoming aggravating to any ears. The family reached the end of the ventilation, standing up cautiously as to not make any noise. His father fetched the flashlight firmly attached to his tool belt and clicked it on, creating a bright circle around him and his son. Ryan stared ahead to see a metal door about what seemed like miles away. He clutched his father's arm once more as they shuffled towards their destination.

Ryan felt his body collide with his father's legs when he stopped abruptly, music chiming in the room. That wasn't there before. Ryan stayed as still as his father and once the music trailed off, they were on the move again. Their footsteps reiterated within the empty room, seeming as if their was someone following them. Paranoia struck Ryan every time he looked back to see if those footsteps were truly his. His eight year old mind couldn't handle the terrors of the room, even though his father was their to conceivably protect him.

His father stopped again, stealing a sharp breath when the music became louder. Much louder. Ryan's large eyes widened when they spotted something moving right in front of them, it's melody deafening. Ryan shied behind the back of his father, squeezing his eyes shut in hope the creature would disappear soon. It's presence sent shivers down his spine and made him shake in his shoes.

The music finally died down and Ryan let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. His father quickly dragged him the rest of the way and pushed open the door, slamming it behind them. He let out an exasperated gasp, releasing the fear and tension from his bones, then stared at his son to see Ryan's terrified and confused face, clearly expecting an explanation. However, he didn't received one as his father just walked passed him, face flat.

Ryan pouted, skidding his feet across the floor to follow his father to a control panel. His eyes traced the diverse buttons and switches along with the polished tablet that sat directly in the center. His father picked up the device discreetly, juggling it between his palms before switching it on.