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“Oh, thank you,” she says. At least I think that’s what she says. There’s a palpable relief in her voice. “I was worried we’d stay down here forever.”
That, she shouts. I hear the sound of Dom laughing. I don’t like that she’s stuck in that elevator but I’m glad she’s not down there alone.
“I’m not leaving until someone gets you out of there.”
They have a conversation which I can’t hear. I’m aware I probably look like a crazy person, my belly pressed to the floor in the hotel, my fingers trying to pry the doors open even though it feels like, at any point, the doors are going to close on my fingers.
I don’t care about how I look right now. I can’t help but think about all the things that could go wrong. What if the elevator plunges down the shaft, crushing both of them in the process? What if building maintenance takes too long and they run out of oxygen?
What if someone did this on purpose?
That makes no sense. Why would anyone do this on purpose? Who could even do this? I’m letting my imagination run wild when I hear jingling near me.
I tilt my head up to see legs clad in a blue uniform. “Hi,” the technician says when he catches my eyes. “What’s going on?”
Thank God he’s here, I think as I get to my feet. “My friends are in there.”
He nods. “Stand back. Let me get to work.”
The technician pulls a set of tools out of his bag and starts working on the elevator. The sound of metal against metal is deafening, but I don’t care as long as they get out safely. Alana and Dom occasionally shout out to us, telling us about their current situation. I listen, but I don’t respond. I’m focused on the technician’s work, watching him with a hawk’s eye.
Finally, after what feels like forever, the doors of the elevator slide open.
They’re not exactly parallel to the lobby so we have to pull them out.
I lean down and reach out my hand.
“Dom,” I say. “Give her a boost. I’ll grab her.”
He does as I tell him. I extend my arm so Alana and Dom gives her a boost. It’s hard for her to get out, I’m pretty sure I’m hurting her, but it doesn’t matter.
I just need to get her the fuck out of there.
She’s finally out. She lands on her knees. Then the technician and help Dom out, offering him a hand each.
I can feel Alana watching us. Dom tumbles out too and she rushes over to him, still on her knees.
Dom is laughing, but Alana is shaking like a leaf.
I wait for her to look at me, to say anything.
She finally turns her head, her eyes wide, mascara streaming down her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she whispers, hugging me tight.
“It was nothing,” I say, but I’m shaking too. “Are you okay?”
The technician tells us about what went wrong–something to do with the generators–but I’m not listening. I’m just glad they’re okay. Alana and Dom are chatting, but I’m in my own world.
Alana is hugging herself. I notice that she’s not wearing any shoes.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask when the technician is done speaking to them.
“I’m fine,” she says. “Just a little shaken.”
“What a day,” I say. “I’m sure tomorrow will be better. For the time being, maybe you should get some rest.”
She nods. “Yeah,” she says softly. “That sounds like a good idea.”
