It’s been 5 years since I have played the elevator game, still my mind hasn’t been the same, I avoid elevators, and that woman or being at the 5th floor still haunts me.
My beloved fiancé Peter thinks it’s a bit odd but he gladly takes the stairs with me, I brushed it off calling it a phobia for being afraid of getting stuck in an elevator with no way out, he doesn’t suggest to seek therapy he just kissed my forehead saying that taking the stairs is a good workout, his non judgmental approach towards me is the reason why I was so eager to marry him.
After my last trip to the underworld I asked Peter out right away, If I had the guts to face that creature in high heals then asking a person out that I adore should be a piece of cake, After graduation I moved towns to pursue a new career path, I wanted to settle with Peter but he encouraged me to keep going, he’s not going to let me retire this soon from my educational opportunities, and he will continue that journey with me, as a team, as an unit.
After a while I realize he’s right, My parents sided with him and he won their respect with that, with 3 people backing me up how could I possibly say no to that? Peter believes that a good future takes care of me than any man will, of course he’ll always be there but life is unpredictable, he could die or get sick so relying on him fully is a dangerous move, with a new understanding I decided to do my RN anyway, It’s a good career choice and if anything happens to my Peter I can be a sun shining brightly in his world just like he has been doing for me as I called him in the middle of the night that I had a disturbing dream.
When I got home I received an email from my friend Sarah asking how I’m going and If I wanted to catch up with dinner at her house, I happily accepted, we discussed our future plans and I confided in her that I’m still plagued with nightmares every now and then, Sarah then asked why on Earth would I play such a dangerous game,
I told her that I wanted to gather courage to ask Peter out, I decided not to tell Sarah that the ghost took her form and the form of Miss Tanaka.
I hardly believe it myself, Sarah’s mother came in and I flinched hearing high heels gracefully tapping on the wooden floor,
“Oh I didn’t startle you right? ” She smiled apologetic, ” I wanted to say hello,” She said.
“It’s not your fault I’ve always been like that” I added,
“Okay, I’ll be in my office , If you need something feel free to ask” She said, I nodded and focused my attention to Sarah.
It was time to leave and as I reached towards the doorknob I felt watched, carefully I looked behind me, Sarah was standing in the hall,
“Are you okay Mary?” Sarah asked.
“Y..yes.. would you like to come over to my house tomorrow?” I asked.
“Sure that will be nice, Come on I’ll walk you to your car” Sarah said, in silence I walked towards the Parking lot,
" You know If you’re nervous heading to the parking lot alone you could have asked me to accompany you” Sarah said and I opened the door to my car.
“I’m Sorry.. I have a lot on my plate, Some mental health issues,” I said.
" I see, well my mother is a Shrink I’m sure I can ask her to give you some counseling for free,” Sarah said and I winced.
“I’m not calling you crazy, It’s just that I want to look after you” Sarah mentioned.
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“That’s very kind, but this is something I need to fix on my own, Please head inside it’s a bit chilly outside,” I said, Sarah agreed and I waited until she appeared in the window, Sarah opened the window and she waved me goodbye, my eyes bulged when I saw a shadow coming from behind her but It was just her mother standing next to her, they both waved goodbye and I sighed in relief, I started the engine and drove off.
I got spooked over nothing,
When I got home Peter was keeping himself busy with dinner, It was his time to cook and I looked in the pan that was bubbling away on the stove, ” That smells great honey” I said.
Peter tensed up pressing too hard on the knife making a loud thud on the chopping board,
“Mary.. sorry you startled me,” Peter said.
“But didn’t you hear the door opening or my keys fumbling?” I asked.
" No I was in deep thought,” Peter said, ” Please grab a plate it’s almost done,” He said.
I forgot about him wincing away from my touch and waited until dinner was served like a small child I watched Peter’s deliciousness on my plate, We had surf and turf for dinner.
“How are you love?” I asked,
“Not so well, I heard classmates of mine died so I’m not myself” Peter admits.
“Oh when did you hear about that?” I asked.
“Today, I wanted to call you to see if you were alright to put my mind at ease but I didn’t want to disturb your meet up with Sarah,” Peter said.
" You could have sent a text, I always read them after I’m done running errands or visits,” I said and blew on the piece of shrimp before tasting it.
" I will do that next time,” Peter said.
" So how did the students die?” I asked,
“Their bodies were found near an Elevator, no one knows what they were doing there” Peter said, The news startled me, that there could be a serial killer in our town,” Peter said.
" Promise me you will stay on your guard, I can’t afford to lose you Mary” Peter said.
“You won’t, I got my pepper spray and I never enter the car of a stranger,” I said trying to calm him the mood lightened up a bit and we spoke about our day.
After dinner I gave Peter a lift to his workplace I noticed his demeanor shifted, He became frightened of letting me stay by myself at home, I assured him it was going to be all right, but he wouldn’t calm down so I decided to remain with my car on the parking lot where I could see him work and clean tables at the local restaurant, he’s working two jobs for our weddings to give me the best experience ever, At times I wonder what I have done to be so lucky, I send him a text that I will be grabbing something to munch on and drove to a nearby drive through and as I drove back I went past a hotel. I stole a glance at an elevator going up to the 10th floor, It gave me the chills, I really didn’t want to think that the students who died were playing the Elevator game, I got back to my spot and during a short break Peter came with drinks that he purchased. Together we sat in the car until his break was over.
“Mary?” I heard Peter call out, but I was so tired that I dosed off.
I shot my eyes open finding myself in bed in our master bedroom groggy and disorientated I called out to Peter, where did he go? The door opened and Peter came in,
“Hey, what is the matter?” Peter asked approaching our bed, concern flickered over his features,
“How did I get here?” I asked holding onto him frightened.
“I carried you back home, I asked my manager If I could clock off sooner,” Peter said.
Strange.. I thought I was placed on a couch, at least that’s what it felt like.
“Oh.. sorry It must be the food, I get sleepy after a hearty meal,” I said holding him around the shoulders.
" Will you join me to bed?” I don’t want to be alone” I said having a hard time keeping my eyes open, Peter brushed a kiss on my forehead.
“Sure Mary,” He said and turned his back towards me slipping out of his shirt, as he joined I curled up against his unclad chest the warmth of his skin and the brief strokes on my hair lulled me back to sleep, as the next day approaches I woke up finding myself in an empty bed, I looked at the alarm clock but it doesn’t seem to be working, my gut clenched, ” There must be an explanation for this I thought but fear crept through my system I wanted to turn the lights on but instead of doing that I reached towards the curtains and my world seemed to freeze in time, there in the distance there was a red cross, while every light in the city was dead,
“Peter” I whimpered, I tried to scream and call for his aid but I could hardly speak.
I cowered under the covers wanting to get out of this nightmare, But my room remained dark, The door of our bedroom opened with a cracking sound
" Peter?” I shivered carefully looking towards the door holding on to the last bit of hope that it’s going to be all right, and a bony finger reached towards the light switch going up and down showing I was indeed in the other world.
A being clad in red was grinning from ear to ear in the darkness and stepped in with heels tapping on the ground.
“Mary Jane” the creature hissed and I felt the shadow towering over my hiding place..