Today’s post is a collaborative ghost story being written by several bloggers. Visit Smithereens first for the beginning of the story.
As I looked up, my smile froze and my heart skipped a beat…
The man was tall and thin. His face pale, his cheeks hollow and his eyes sunken. He stared straight ahead. “Working late too?” I asked.
He acted like I wasn’t there.
“We need to get out in the daylight more often, these fluorescent lights aren’t doing much for the ol’ complexion.”
Still no response. I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.
“What slave-driver do you work for? I bet you’re in the legal department, right?”
The man didn’t move a muscle.
I stared at the numbers above the elevator door. None of them were lit. It didn’t even feel like we were moving.
“This elevator sure is slow tonight,” I said. I reached over and pushed the ground floor button again. I pushed it again. And then I kept pushing it, fast.
“This elevator doesn’t stop at that floor,” said the man. I don’t know what unsettled me more, that the man finally spoke or the deep, dusty sound of his voice.
I laughed nervously and pushed the button again.
“This elevator only stops when it gets to the bottom,” said the man.
“You know, that’s not very funny,” I said. My voice came out in a higher pitch than I would have liked. I sounded scared, not the thing you want to sound stuck in an elevator with a crazy man. I backed away from him as far as I could get which admittedly wasn’t very far. I reached into my bag searching for the mace I kept there. But if I had to use it in an elevator I wasn’t sure that I wouldn’t be incapacitated too. I had to take my chances. My hand closed on it and found the trigger, if he made a move I was ready.
But he didn’t move. He just stood there staring straight ahead.
After what seemed like a very long time, the elevator bell dinged. I relaxed a little, finally I could get out of here. The elevator doors slid open…
(To be continued…)
The next chapter will be at Incurable Logophilia. Be sure to check out the list of participants and the order. You don’t want to miss what happens next!
This is such a fun project and great for the run-up to Halloween!
That’s fantastic! I hadn’t thought of this at all, that’s great to see the story develop. Can’t wait to see the next part.
Litlove, all credit goes to Smithereens. It was her idea. It will be fun to see what direction the story goes in next.
Smithereens, thanks! I am a little afraid of elevators so when you left off where you did my already existing fear didn’t have too much trouble thinking of something
Ooooo. The curious reader is getting curiouser and curiouser. Can’t wait for the next installment.
Oh, I just laugh the fact that you inserted some humor in it. As I said over at Smithereens, I’m finding myself thinking about what I’d write for each section.
That’s “love,” not “laugh,” but I DID laugh.
What a hoot. Good for you for giving it a shot. I’m afraid I’m one of those rare readers I think who has no aspirations to write fiction herself…so am impressed when others give it a go!
Grad, yay! That means I did my little part ok
Emily, it cracks me up that you always correct your comment typos
Glad you enjoyed the humor. I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes. I know what I see when the elevator doors open but I can’t wait to find out what Verbivore sees!
whisperinggums, thanks. I was going to say I have no fictional aspirations but that doesn’t sound quite right. I have no aspirations to write fiction either though 20 years from now, who knows? Since this project is just for fun I was able to push aside my nerves aside, sort of!
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You know, you do dialogue very well! I love the crack about working in the legal department–this is so you, Stefanie. Now I need to find out just where the elevator has stopped….onwards.
How fun! I’m enjoying everyone’s episodes. I’ve read Verbivore’s piece, and now I’m waiting for the next one!
This is actually nice because you get to see the side of bloggers you haven’t seen yet. I mean, it all falls down as to how they write stories.
I’ve read the other chapter and I can’t wait for the next one to come out.
Danielle, really? Thanks! I see lots of pasty law student faces every day so the legal department crack was a no brainer
Dorothy, glad you are enjoying the episodes. I can’t wait to see where the story goes as well.
Brooke, glad you are enjoying it. It is a little venture into something I don’t normally do. Stepping outside the box a bit. And it is fun to see where different people imagine the story going.
Oh! Exciting! What a fun project! Great way to discover new blogs as well…
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