Short stories

Trapped

"I know mom! I know that I forgot her birthday okay? That's why I'm at the mall right now." I sped walked towards a candle store doing my best not to bump into so many people.

Today was my older sisters birthday, Penny. As any other household there was a favorite kid and in ours, it was her which I don't understand because out of the six of us I was obviously the best. My sister had a short temper as well as a condition in which there was a stick up her ass 24/7. It's incurable.

As I reach the candle store I say goodbye to my mom promising to be on time for the birthday dinner this weekend. 

"Hello can I help you find anything today?" A sweet voice says as soon as I enter the shop.

"No thank you, I know what I need."

I give the young girl a smile as I head towards the back corner of the place. As I get closer to the floral scented section I see three men blocking the way. I look around for another way to get where I need to but asking them to move is the easiest and fastest way.

"Excuse me, I need to pass by." I wait a few seconds but none of them seemed to hear me.

"Excuse me! I really need to pass by." I say louder. Even the people further out turn to look at us. The slimmer person of the group turns his head a bit and nods but I don't get a good look at his face. Just his ear and a shiny earring. When he nods the other two bulky men shuffle around and to their best to flatten themselves to the wall giving me enough space to go where I need to without the first guy having to move.

I mutter a quick thank you as I pass by them and head straight to the pastel pink candle that Penny has been buying for three years. As I pick it up my phone starts to ring again. In my haste it flies out of my hand hitting the slim guy in the back. In his surprised state he turns around and kicks the phone under the shelves and into the corner.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry." I run to the corner and see that there's a gap where two shelf corners meet. I see through a sliver my phone lighting up with a missed call from my mom. I look at the shelves and notice that the one on the right is smaller with less candles so I stand up and grab the opposite side pulling slowly.

"Um. I don't think that's a good idea."

"Well not with that attitude." I respond back sweetly to the guy I hit.

I hear him chuckle as he starts walking towards me.

"Here let me help you."

"It's okay. I got it."

As soon as a big enough gap is made for me to see the dusty corner the guy walks towards it.

"Here I'll get it. It was partly my fault too." As he goes in, suddenly the entire building starts shaking. I quickly lower myself down as candles start dropping left and right. People start screaming while holding onto whatever they could find while a bigger portion started to leave the building. I look for the slim guy and see him step out of the corner but then one of the candles falls and hits him on the shoulder so he tucks himself back in.

Not thinking twice about it I crawl over and join him in the small safe space, I stand up next to him as he presses himself against the wall to give me space. The two bulky men that were with him earlier try heading towards us but the floor above us suddenly collapses. I can't help but cry as I see the families that were in the store being crushed. I scream and try to come out to try and help but I'm held back by the slim guy. He puts his hand over my eyes and turns me around. Pinning me to the corner and putting himself in front. I can't help but turn to hug him as I cry waiting for the shaking to stop.