The Sky Beneath Us (on hold)

TWO

Day 1. 15:11.

___________

Avery had no luck getting a signal with his cellphone. Everyone else who tried received similar results. All networks were down.

Mark sat on the white plaster ceiling, a flickering light to his left and a smashed computer monitor on his right. He had not spoken since looking outside. Melissa too had taken a peek, and was now bunched by the sealed elevator doors crying hysterically. Sadie stood by the window, blank. Danny and Tom were in hushed discussion.

The room stank of vomit. Soon, Nancy's body would add to that stench.

In the far corner, Becca was searching for supplies, anything that could be useful.

What could be useful out there?

Avery rubbed his eyes. He wanted to let it out, tears and shouts. But he couldn't do that, he needed to be strong. After his speech, his few short sentences, the others had begun looking at him as their de facto leader. While everyone else panicked, he stepped up. Avery refused to show the others that he too, was in a state of panic. But without leadership, there would be anarchy.

Funny, he thought, how a crisis could do that. Also funny, that this was one crisis that nobody could have prepared for. If it had have happened just an hour earlier, Avery wouldn't even be breathing - sucked into oblivion on his lunch break - just like everyone else unfortunate enough to be outside.

His parents wandered into his thoughts. What was their fate? Trapped in their suburban home, or lost to the sky? He could imagine his father outside, gardening, and then -

Avery fell to his knees. Tears flooded down his face, every trapped emotion broke free. He was in that state for a few minutes, not caring that he showed fear.

He was afraid.

He felt a hand wrap around him - Becca's. She embraced him tightly, a slight shiver in her movements but firm nonetheless.

"Shh...it's okay Avery, let it all out. It's okay. You're not alone".

He lifted his head up to face her. She wore a weak smile, but her eyes were red from crying. Dried blood was smeared across one side of her face from where she tried to stem the blood flow.

"We're all here, all of us, in the same boat...well, office" she whispered with her smile growing faintly, "are we gonna stay here, or are we gonna figure a way out?"

She was right. Now was not the time for grieving or weakness. Now was the time for strength and survival. Avery pulled away, breaking the hug and rising to his feet. He dried his eyes with the collars of his shirt, putting fear aside for what needed to be done.

"You're right. I said we needed to find safety", his voice found courage, "so let's get our heads together and find safety."

He took Becca's hand in his and helped her up. Turning to the group, he addressed them instantly.

"Ok everyone, listen up, we can't be the only ones in this damn building. There's ten floors left unaccounted for here. I say we gather everyone else, and get out of here."

"How?" Melissa asked, voice weak and trembling, "where-" - her voice broke - "where can we go? We step outside, we're dead."

"I never suggested going outside", Avery retaliated, "I suggested getting out of this damn office and finding safety. Now, we can do that, take the chance. Or we can sit here and starve until this building falls apart".

Melissa's retort was cut off as Mark finally spoke - "he's right. This building...it has a lot of mass, right? And its mass is pulled down by gravity into the ground, which holds it and supports it. But...there's nothing under us now, is there? Just air. Just air..." he trailed off.

Melissa's eyes darted between Avery and Mark rapidly, looking as if she'd just been smacked.

"I'm staying here. I don't care, I'm staying here because I'm safe here."

Avery's heart sunk. This woman was sentencing herself to death.

But in reality, were his chances any better?

"I'm staying too", Danny contributed, "my ankle is bad, Avery. Look at it."

He lifted his trouser leg to reveal an inflamed, purple mess.

His face becoming a grimace, he continued talking - "I can hardly walk, let alone climb outta here. I stay with Melissa."

Avery's breath became heavy, his heart ached, but he nodded nonetheless.

"I respect your decision, both of you. But I sincerely hope you'll reconsider."

In the minutes that followed, Sadie and Tom both agreed to join Avery. Becca and Mark needed no convincing - they knew the dangers of staying behind.

Gathering whatever they could, and not much at that, the group wished the others luck, before moving towards the stairwell door.

As he left the office, Avery gave one last look to Melissa and Danny, embracing each other strongly, two people he was almost certain he would never see again.

***

Day 1. 15:28.

___________

Eve Thompson woke up looking at the sky. She remembered being in her attic, cleaning. Then she somehow lost her balance, and must have passed out. But she was awake now, looking at the deep blue sky. She lay there for a moment, peacefully, admiring its beauty. It only occurred to her that she had her face to glass a few seconds later - the attic skylight no doubt. But if she was lying down, how was her face on the glass?

She tried to sit up, the old glass creaked under her. Weight?

Looking around her almost made Eve pass out again.

She was upside down. Above her was the attic stairs, below her was the roof.

How was this happening? What was happening?

A dream. It had to be a dream. Vivid, but too strange not to be. The thought made her laugh out loud. How foolish she must have been a few moments ago to actually believe she was upside down. She was twenty-six, not a child.

Still giggling at her own stupidity, she stood up.

And the glass gave way beneath her.