Stuck in the Elevator Again | ONC 2022

Loop 4.4

Last edited: 25/4/2022
[Roselyn]

After a few moments of silence, Jaxtyn Uburg's chest deflates significantly. In a defeated voice, he terminates, "let's drop this topic and not discuss it anymore. Come, I'll lift you again."

Using the back of my hand to sweep the dripping tears away, I hold my ground. I will not succumb, no matter if it is my fault or his fault.

Irritation flashes in his eyes. I crane my neck and watch his every move, unable to back down nor apologize for my selfish, bratty, and obnoxious behaviors.

He closes his eyes momentarily before opening them again. "Don't you want to escape from the time loop? Come here, I'll help. I promise I won't drop you again, ok?"

I back up a little at his gentle and patient voice. This is not Jaxtyn Uburg; this is an alien.

"Please, just come here."

I shuffle my feet in his direction. Halting a few inches away, I just stare at his electric blue eyes.

"May I know your name?" Jaxtyn Uburg asks, phrasing each word with such care and caution, it makes me feel like punching myself over and over again for my self-centered attitude.

"... Roselyn Chang," I mumble, the non-stop salty tears taking advantage of the situation and invading my mouth without a second thought.

"Ok, Roselyn. I'll lift you without dropping you this time, I promise. See if you can find whatever you saw," he murmurs.

"Oh-kay," I give in, letting a hiccup slip in between my words.

A relieved smile appears on his face. "Great."

He hoists me up again, this time with me biting back my comments about his actions. I press my fingers onto the dusty ceiling, covering the depriving light with my palm. With caution, I raise the ceiling panel, but something skitters off with a clank as soon as I push it wider open.

Pushing the ceiling panel aside, I inspect the inside once more. Following the diverse shaft of light, I identify the outline of a knife a bit beyond arm's reach.

Stretching my body to the furthest and neglecting the mass dust particles that are choking me to death, my fingernails manage to scrape a leather-feeling object. Realizing that is the knife that I am expecting to find, I extend even further, to an extent that I have never known possible.

Prying the knife closer with my fingertips, inch by inch, I finally am able to wrap my palm around the dry but thick leather scabbard.

"Got it."

Jaxtyn Uburg sets me down on the floor without any unnecessary accidents. Switching off the flashlight of my phone, I swag the sheathed dagger in my hand.

"Whoa. I have never seen a real dagger before, much less than clutching onto one," I gulp, my temper all blown away by the still wind. I give it a little wield as I admire it with sparkly eyes. "This is so cool."

Jaxtyn Uburg unlatches my taut fingers from the precious dagger and flicks the dagger in between his fingers. Settling the scabbard in between his left index finger and middle finger, he draws the dagger out with his other hand, bringing it upright in front of his eyes. With an engrossed expression on his usual poker face, he examines the dagger scrupulously, the flickers of light that are reflected by the blade dancing along with his handsome features.

His lips curl up as his left pinky glides along the sharp blade. "I think... I'll take this."

Discontentment bubbles under my calm pretence. "Oh, and why is that?"

He settles his gaze on me. With a dangerous glint in his eyes that is reflected off the surface of the dagger, he whispers, "because, Roselyn... I deserve it. Don't I?"

A shiver runs down my spine and my tears forget how to flow anymore. My teeth's chattering, unfortunately, resonates with my stammer, "oh... oh-okay. Ye-yeah."

My arms shake ceaselessly as I brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I... um, I will go and look through my bag."

With great effort, I nonchalantly pretend to paddle over to where my purse lies, but my wobbly legs must have given me away because I can hear the dark chuckle from behind. I stumble with my footsteps, but quickly regain my composure and snatches my purse.

Rummaging through my stuff, I fish out my stationary case and pull out my utility knife and scissors.

"These are our only weapons." I wave my hand at the three dangerous objects. "So, I think we should still try to jump out of the elevator. Do you remember the 70th floor's setting and the number of employees?"

Jaxtyn Uburg returns to his usual self and furrows his brows. "Usual cubicles. And there should be a meeting at 9 sharp, which means most of the employees will not be on the 70th floor."

My eyebrows jump in surprise. "Oh really? That's great news for us! So, it'd be safe to say we can jump out and will most likely face less than 20 zombies?"

Jaxtyn Uburg nods.

"Luck is on our side!" A grin blooms on my lips, "oh wait! I have to go press the lift buttons to see if there's anything behind them as well."

Turning around to face the set of buttons, I start poking each and every one of them at least three times before moving on to the next.

"If one of these buttons really contains something or is some kind of gimmick, I'm going to rip his head off," I mutter under my breath.

A hard gaze bores onto my back, burning two holes onto my perfect profile. Rolling my eyes in response, I continue to prod and prick, enjoying the rhythm given off by the continuous shoving of buttons. The metals clanking against each other is a beautiful melody, you know.

As I press the button for the 70th floor, the button slides inwards with the help of my push. The button disappears into the small rectangular hole, and a stash of candy fills the hole.

Rooting out the candy, I fumble with the opening and pull out a stick of gum. Unwrapping the aluminum foil, I toss the gum into my mouth and chew on it nice and slow.

Mint! That's cool.

"Want some?" I motion to the remaining five sticks of gum in my hands.

Jaxtyn Uburg shakes his head. "No."

I shrug. Oh well, guess they are mine now.

Plopping my beautiful ass onto the floor, I advise before my mind starts drifting off into my dreams, "get some sleep, zombie."