The Sky Beneath Us (on hold)

FOUR

Day 1. 15:37.

___________

Avery and the others had spent the best part of ten minutes trying to figure out a way to reach the next level of the building. Their voices echoed in the empty stairwell, no others had come out from the five floors above or below. Sadie had tried calling down to the bottom, but received no reply. They didn't dare go down - the fall was too risky. And even if they did, there was no guarantee that they'd ever get back up again.

The rest of their floor was empty, it was a Sunday after all. But surely they weren't the only people in the entire building? There had to be others.

"If only we had a rope, y'know, climb to the top", said Tom wishfully.

"You could boost me up", Avery suggested, "but I need someone strong enough to do the job".

He glanced uncertainly at the silent Mark. Everyone else did likewise.

"I can do it, yeah", Mark muttered, barely audible even in the emptiness around them. He motioned towards Avery, an 'are you ready' kind of gesture and readied his hands for the push. Avery nodded curtly and got into position. One foot firmly on the ground, ready to spring. The other foot locked tight between Mark's fingers.

A large crash could be heard somewhere outside, the sound of breaking rock and metal from mere blocks away. Whilst the others exchanged panicked looks, Avery chose to ignore it. Collapsing buildings was the last thing he wanted on his mind - especially because he was in one.

"Ok Mark, let's go. On three" - he braced - "One. Two. Three!"

Mark heaved as he catapulted Avery into the air. Avery reached out for the edge of the next landing. If he fell, he could fall six floors. His hands slapped the smooth surface, but the edge caught him in the midriff, winding him. Becca screamed his name as he lost his grip and slid backwards, preparing himself for the fall.

A hand reached out and caught him. Startled, Avery looked up to see a man grinning at him through blonde stubble and piercing blue eyes.

"How's it hanging there mate?" he asked in a thick Australian accent before pulling Avery up to safety.

He looked to be about thirty, his blonde stubble matched his curly long hair. His white shirt was stained with plaster and blood - definitely not his own - and his cheeky smile didn't falter as he held out a dusty hand.

"Chadwick Martins", he chirped, "but you can call me Chad if you fancy".

"Avery".

"I know, I've seen you around the place" he replied. Still, he smiled. How could anyone smile like that during a time like this?

"You alright there Chad?" Avery asked cautiously, gesturing towards the blood.

Chad looked down at himself and his grin finally faltered.

"Ah...yeah. That", his eyes rose to meet Avery's, "I came from two floors up, third floor, messy business up there. We had a death. I came down here through the elevator shaft, looking for survivors."

He pointed down to the others.

"I guess I just found 'em".

He pulled a thick wire from his pocket, unravelled it, and tied it to the banisters before throwing it down to Mark.

"Is there anybody on this floor or the next?" Avery enquired, still unsure what to make of Chad. He was a strange man, no doubt about it - the world gone to shit and acting like nothing major happened. He wasn't in denial, that was for sure - he acknowledged that there was some sort of disaster at least.

"Nope, empty. I was in the far office, managed to pull the wire out of the ceiling. The beauty is actually holding your pal's weight, must be industrial" Chad replied jovially.

He leaned in closer to Avery, his breath smelled of whiskey and cigarettes. Was he drunk?

"So there I was mate, minding my own business, doing a bit of online poker on the old laptop. Then the Flip happens, I go onto my head and my bloody hip-flask empties all over my damn trousers", he laughed and hiccupped.

"The Flip?" Avery repeated.

"Yeah, you know, the big whoosh. Everything upside down". He pulled away winking.

Behind them, Mark was helping Sadie up onto the landing. Becca glanced over, the look on her face suggested she held the same feelings for Chad as Avery did. That wasn't good.

"Alright people listen up", Chad addressed the group loudly "I've got three others on the third floor, waiting for me to get back so we can get the hell out've here. I don't know about you, but I plan on using the elevator shaft. It's cosy, and relatively easy to climb up without dying", he looked towards Sadie, "unless you're a bad climber that is".

She glared back at him viciously and opened her mouth to argue, but Tom intervened first.

"I don't see how it's safer. I mean, we're looking at a long drop if we fall. Should we risk that?"

"Hey, if you wanna stay here kid, that's fine by me" Chad growled. Avery noticed Tom's right fist clench slightly.

When no reply came, Chad's tone picked up considerably and he began walking towards the elevator humming out of tune. Avery and the others reluctantly followed, placing all of their faith in an alcoholic madman.

***

The building crumbled as it fell from the inverted ground to the sky below. The first of many to come. Multiple screams could be heard from inside its old and broken walls, soon drowned out as they entered the infinite void.

"Darkness. Darkness, my children. Embrace it, and exist with me as one for life everlasting."