Will to Way, Wilt Away

Chapter 12

"What's the matter? Aspen? Wait up!! Where are you going? Aspen! Aspen!!" screamed the chaotic parade of voices chasing after me.

However, my stride lengthened and pace quickened as their hollers approached a crescendo.

"Girl, slow down! I'm in heels! Bitch, you just flat tired me! Well run faster! Ow! Ow! OW! CRAMP! Damn Egg McMuffin!"

I reached the elevator and slammed my hand on the button. Above the doors, a small screen lit up revealing a '10' in bold red numbers. Shit!

I was knelt over with my hands on my knees, struggling to catch my breath. There wasn't a drop of energy left in my limbs, so the fear pitted in my stomach became my fuel tank. Next thing I knew, I was in full sprint toward the staircase and scaling up the nine story mountain before me. Shiloh, Indi, and Aria reached the elevator right as I ditched it.

"Oh, come on!" I heard Shiloh furiously yell. Two pairs of footsteps began following me up the stairs, but Shiloh's voice, now much fainter than before, shouted from below, "Imma just meet you guys up there!"

I expected myself to peter out and sluggishly haul my heavy feet for the majority of the climb, but as I reached the fifth flight of stairs, my legs still briskly conquered each subsequent step. I struggled to run a 14 minute mile in middle school, which apparently put me in the 'Health Risk Zone,' yet I suddenly had the speed and agility of a freaking Olympian.

Six. Keep up the pace! I picked up my legs and pumped my arms in perfect, swift unison. Seven. Hurry before it's too late! A slight ache gradually began to build in my quads and calves. It quickly spread to my hamstrings. Eight. Just one more. Don't stop. With each stair in the final flight, the ache in my legs multiplied. It morphed into a sweltering burn and then rapidly became a rampant fire searing through every muscle from my ankles to my hips. Nine! I burst through the door and almost collapsed into the hallway.

Catching myself on wobbly feet, I jog-walked to the glass box. Empty. But no broken glass. Thank god.

I planted my back against the wall with both of my hands behind my head. I stood there for fifteen seconds panting profusely, my lungs complaining that there wasn't enough oxygen to inhale.

Without warning, the sidedoor from the staircase flew open with Aria and Indi following it. Aria gasped for air, yet her ginger locks were still perfectly in place and she looked chic as hell in her pink bubblegum dress.

Indi, aside from a single large exhale, showed no signs of fatigue. She looked ready to attack another nine flights of stairs in her black turtleneck and crimson jeans. Apparently 5:00 AM spin classes made you some kind of superhero.

As Indi and Aria walked over to me, the elevator doors slid open, but nobody walked out. All three of us stared intently as the doors began to shut. Abruptly, an arm shot out into the hallway and the doors spasmed as they switched directions and opened again. Shiloh limped out into the hall, wheezing and clutching at his right side. He was more out of breath than all three of us combined.

"You took the elevator, why are you tired?" Indi asked while giggling.

"We all know I'm too fabulous for physical activity," Shiloh whined.

Indi and Aria laughed, but without reacting, I turned around and rushed to Julius' door.

"Hello! Julius! Open the door!" I shouted while knocking aggressively.

"Are you guys sure he wasn't in his apartment?" I hollered over my clamorous knocking. 

"I—"

Knock! Knock!

"I don—"

Knock! Knock! Knock!