The Lightning Sphere

Chapter 2

    The Elevator doors slipped open. Maggie, her mother and a nurse wearing baggy green pants and a matching shirt with a stethoscope around her neck stepped inside. An old man was already waiting inside.

    Her brother and father were in the hospital? There was no possible way for that to happen! Both of them were good drivers, and they never went against the law. She prayed and prayed and prayed for them the whole car ride there, while talking to the receptionist and even standing here in the elevator. She hoped they would be all right.

    The nurse walked over to the elevator buttons. “What floor do you guys want?” The old man scratched his bald head. “I think its floor three.” He replied, squinting his eyes trying to remember.

    “We need four.” Maggie’s mom said, folding the scrap piece of paper the receptionist had given her and placed it into her purse.

    “Same.” The nurse replied.

    “Oh! I just remembered!” Exclaimed the old man. “I need that floor too.” He crossed his arms over his chest as if proud of remembering such a small detail.

    “Alright then.” The nurse pressed her forefinger against the small circular button with the number 4 on top. All though it was hard to tell if it was a four or not, because of the peeling paint.

    “My name is Sharma.” The nurse said, stretching her arm towards Mrs. Torino.

    “I’m Nikki.” She said and shook hands with the nurse.

    “What are you here for?” Sharma asked.

    “I got a call.” Nikki said. Her expression became concerned again. “My husband and son were in an accident.” Sharma’s face had quickly transformed into a similar expression to Mrs. Torino’s. “Oh. I hope they’re all right.”

     The Old man uncrossed his arms and placed them behind his back. “I’m here to see the birth of my 5th grandchild. My name is Elroy James.”  He squatted down beside Maggie, retrieving a small wrapped candy from his pocket.

    “You look like a sweet young girl.” He beamed. “I’m sorry about your family. I hope they’re alright. Here.” He extended the candy toward her. “Take it. It’s caramel. All children love caramel.”

    “Let me ask my mom.” Maggie turned her head towards her mom. She was talking with Sharma. It looked as if they were in deep conversation, so she decided not to bother her.

    “Thanks.” She said looking back. The man stared deep into Maggie’s eyes. “You,”  A thin layer of grey smoke spilled out of his mouth as he spoke. It hovered around Maggie’s head.

   “Be careful young protector, of dangers yet to come.

The world is very treacherous, to all except for one.

The time will come for us to feast on an elders kin,

Who’s identity will be revealed after one’s major sin.”

    The man then disappeared, along with the smoke. She looked at her mom, who seemed to have noticed nothing unusual. She must have hallucinated. She was too worked up about Sam and her dad.

    The floor in the elevator suddenly jerked to a stop, making Maggie fly towards the wall and grab onto a railing. The doors opened, and everyone stepped out.

    “What room is dad and Sam in?” She asked. Mrs. Torino pulled out the piece of paper again. “Room number 7. I think it’s down this hall.” Maggie’s mom folded the piece of paper again, and threw it into the recycling.