Chapter 49: Rescued
Cassandra’s POV
“HELP!” I cried out immediately. “Please, help me! I’m trapped in the elevator. It’s dark and I’m alone.”
“It’s okay,” the voice said. It was muffled through the door. I ran to the door.
“Get me out!” I cried out, my voice high and frantic.
“You need to stay calm,” the voice reassured. “We’re going to get you out of there.”
“I don’t have enough air,” I said, breathing heavily.
+15 BONUS
“There’s more than enough air. Take a deep breath. And please back away from the door. We’re working on it. You’ll be out soon. I promise.”
Relief flooded through me. They knew I was in here! They were working on getting me out! I thought for a moment that I recognized the voice. But it was faint through the door.
“Are you away from the door?” the voice asked.
I did as I was asked and backed away from the door.
“Yes,” I called out.
“Good. Stay towards the back of the elevator, okay?”
“Okay,” I said.
I took a deep breath and bit my lip. I already felt a bit calmer. But I still hated being trapped in there all alone.
The next thing I heard was the sounds of tools clinking. They really working on it. I thought I heard a drill. I pressed myself into the back wall of the elevator, careful to stay away from the door as ‘d been instructed.
I heard muffled voices. There was more than one person out there I realized. Then I realized the elevator must have stopped at floor level. Thank God for that. I tried to make out what they were saying, but I couldn’t. Although I thought I recognized Jordyn’s voice at one point. I couldn’t be sure though.
I resisted the urge to cry out again. They needed to focus and I didn’t want to break their concentration. The more they could focus, the quicker they could get me out of there. I checked my phone again. There was still no signal.
My breathing had slowed down. I wasn’t feeling as shaky as I’d been. But time felt distorted. I decided to sit down. I let my thoughts drift to pass the time. I wanted to think about anything other than the fact that I was trapped in the damned elevator.
My mind flashed to Stella. She was on her way to her mother’s by now. Was her mother okay? The call had been so sudden. Her mother was a healthy woman. What had happened? And Stella? I could only imagine how worried and scared she must be. What if something was seriously wrong with her mother?
No. I didn’t want to think about that.
“You doing okay in there?” the same voice called out. Did I know that voice? I felt like I did. But it was unlikely.
“Yes,” I said weakly. I wouldn’t exactly say I was ‘okay‘. But I wasn’t in the throes of a panic attack any more, so that was good.
I rubbed my knees with the palm of my hands. Panic started creeping in again. How long had I been in here? I had no concept of time. My heart started racing.
“I’m starting to panic,” I called out. “I feel like I can’t breathe.”
“Stay calm,” the voice said. It was strong and assuring. “Think of something else: Imagine you’re somewhere else. Somewhere nice and calming.”
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Chapter 19 Berlind
+15 BONUS
Inodded.
I closed my eyes and envisioned myself on a beach in the Bahamas I’d gone on vacation there a couple years ago. It was so beautiful and I’d been so relaxed. I imagined the soft, white sand and azure water. Yes, that was better. I wasn’t in a dark elevator, all alone. I was on a tropical beach, lounging in the sun. I could almost feel the sun’s heat on my skin, the soft breeze rippling through my hair. Children played in the gentle waves. A couple walked by with snorkeling gear. I giggled because they looked ridiculous, trying to walk through the sand with their flippers and face masks.
“We’re almost done,” the voice said, taking me away from my imaginary tropical vacation. “Are you away from the door?”
“I am,” I confirmed. “I’m at the back of the elevator.
“Okay, hold on just a little longer.
The seconds ticked by. They felt like minutes. The minutes felt like hours. How much longer were they going to take? I tried to go back to my imaginary beach, but I couldn’t focus.
Suddenly, my phone died, plunging me into darkness.
“No,” I whispered out loud. I could handle being in here with the light of my phone. But now it was dark again. “My phone died,” I said to the people outside. “I can’t see anything. Please hurry.”
Then I heard a triumphant voice exclaim, “We got it!”
Seconds later, a light pierced through a gap in the door. They were prying it open!
I scrambled to my feet as my rescuers pried the doors open wider. Light flooded into the elevator. I squinted, waiting for my eyes to adjust.
When they did, I was stunned to see Dillon’s face, looking down at me, his eyes anxious.
50 Finally Out
