| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Kevin *looks at the group*: That was something, huh?
Alice: That poor cat! Who would do such a thing?
Charmaine: Some people just don’t appreciate pets.
Kevin shakes his head in disgust.
Mandy *forgets that she's scared of elevators*: Do you guys think someone in this building could have done it?
Charmaine: I'm sure it's not the two people the others were murmuring about before.
Alice: Who were they talking about before? I noticed how shocked they were when Annie first appeared in the lobby. Was she one of the two they suspected?
Charmaine nods.
Alice: Who's the other one then?
Everyone goes into a silent mood. Kevin stares at the wall to his right and pretends that it's the most interesting thing he ever seen in his entire life, but is careful enough not to look at Wallace. Mandy looks to where Kevin's staring at but she diverts her eyes to Wallace instead - by accident. Charmaine, who's standing next to Mandy, just looks down to the ground.
Alice *who has been studying their strange reactions the whole time*: Ooohhh! They think Wallace did it! How could they? *stepping forward to punch the elevator button to the lobby* I'm going to set them straight.
Wallace *steps forward to grab Alice's hand*: Forget it. They can think whatever they want. I'm used to it.
Alice: But ge!
Wallace shakes his head.
Alice knows better than to upset Wallace at a time like this. She steps back into her place between Wallace and Mandy.
Alice *turning to Mandy*: You and Charmaine don't think he did it, right?
Mandy: Of course not. We don't know what other people do around here besides gossip, but we do know you guys are nice people.
As if feeling like she needs to show her support through Mandy's words, Charmaine turns her focus to Kevin - giving a disapproving look that said he isn't helping either by spreading rumors about Wallace also.
Kevin *feeling guilt traveling through him due to Charmaine's threatening eyes*: I'm really sorry, man. *looks at Wallace* I should have known better than listen to the way those people talk. I should have come over and visit you instead of assuming stuffs.
Wallace: Did you start the rumors?
Kevin shakes his head.
Wallace *smiling*: Then no need to apologize. *extends his hand for Kevin to shake*
Kevin grins and shakes Wallace's hand without any hesitation.
Alice *cheerfully*: Now we're really neighbors!
Before anyone could say anything more, the elevator makes a loud clanking sound and rocks up and down.
Alice clinks to Wallace, who's balancing himself against the wall. Mandy goes into a panic mood. Charmaine tries to calm her down and gets her to breathe in and out slowly. Kevin's trying to keep steady with his right hand on the wall.
A minute later, the elevator stops rocking, but the lights flick off.
Mandy and Alice let out a scream at the same time.
Charmaine feels a strong grip on her left hand, Mandy’s. She pats Mandy's hand, calming her down.
Wallace: Is everyone alright?
Charmaine: Yes.
Alice *holding tightly onto Wallace right arms*: Ge, what's going on?
Wallace: Probably just technical problems.
Mandy *voice wavering*: Where is Kevin?
They realize that he hasn’t spoken up after the elevator stops moving. The others feel around the car, calling out his name.
Wallace: Everyone, stop moving. We might step on him in the process.
Wallace gets down on his knees, dragging down Alice too because she's still clinging onto him.
Alice: Ge, what are you doing?
Wallace: Trying to feel for him in case he's laying unconscious nearby.
Charmaine and Mandy understand so they get down and do the same.
The four inch slowly, making it around in a circle in that method. They end up in opposite sides of the car, but still couldn't locate Kevin.
Alice had let go of Wallace's arms while they’re searching for Kevin.
Wallace finally stands up when he's near the door. He feels his way around for the buttons. Before he calls in, he has to ask the others an important question.
Wallace: Anyone remembered which floor we were on until it happened?
Mandy: It was 6th floor since I remembered glancing at the number right before.
Wallace makes the call, reporting what happened, and hangs up afterwards. He leans against the wall where Charmaine and Mandy were standing before, waiting patiently.
Charmaine *who's standing where Wallace was standing before*: Did you guys notice that we were moving really slow before?
Wallace *scratching his head*: Yes. We were busy talking that we didn't really care.
Alice *standing by the door*: Was it because this car has been working overtime? 'Cause it's been carrying like 30-40 people tonight. And simultaneously too.
Wallace: No, it couldn't be. They had the elevators fixed for a month or so now. Ms. Yeung said she wanted to install new machinery so it would be safer.
Mandy: Then it should be new. Hmm...*taps on her chin, thinking* Hey! I know !
The others wait silently in the dark for her to continue.
Mandy: What if it's the people who installed the new machinery?
Charmaine: What would be their motive then?
Alice: Fraud. By doing that, they could be called back to fix it again and charge extra for additional work?
Wallace: No. It's guaranteed to work or they have to give back half the money.
Alice: Ge, how do you know that?
Wallace: I walked by when they were doing the installation last month and the crews were arguing. They were telling each other to be careful or they won't get money at all. I was curious and did some research on the company.
At that moment, they hear a clanking sound. The strange thing about it is it's coming from the back wall and not the front door of the car - meaning it's not the people that are supposed to come and help them.
Alice: Ge! *clinging onto Wallace again*
Charmaine grabs Mandy and pulls her to the other side of the elevator since the sound coming behind them is getting closer. She's in time because they heard a really loud clank next - like some metallic item just dropped onto the floor of the car - and then a thump follows. An "ugh" sound startles everyone a bit.
Mandy: Kevin?
Kevin: Ugh...That hurts.
Mandy *kneeling down and feeling with her hands to where Kevin's voice is*: Are you alright?
Alice: Does he sound alright to you?
Wallace: Alice!
Alice: Sorry. It was energy left over from nervousness.
Mandy: It's ok. I understand.
Mandy finally touches a hand in the dark. She helps him sits up and leans against the wall that Charmaine had pulled her to before.
The others couldn't help because they don't know exactly where Kevin is. Charmaine could only move out of the way when she could feel Mandy moving toward her.
Mandy *still has her hand on Kevin's left shoulder*: You feeling better now?
Kevin *breathing out a sigh of relief*: Yea. Thanks.
Mandy smiles. Then she gives an inward giggle of her silliness because Kevin couldn't see it anyways.
Mandy: No problem.
Suddenly the lights flick on, causing them to close their eyes abruptly. They use their hands to shield in front of their eyes before opening it again. They blink several times before getting used to the light again.
Their eyes do a quick scan around the elevator car. The scene before is just bizarre. Wallace is standing next to the control center button wall with Alice on his left, still clinging to him. Charmaine is standing with her back to the door. To her right, Mandy is kneeling on the floor - with her back to Charmaine, still holding onto Kevin's left arm with her right hand. Kevin is of course sitting on the floor with his back to the wall. To his right lies a flat-silver, squared metallic piece. On the back wall, there's a hole in the middle. At the center, there are three grocery bags lying there, some contents had spilled out because of what happened before.
Man: Is everyone alright in there?
Woman: Kevin, are you in there, dear?
Everyone takes a quick glance at Kevin.
Kevin tries to get up with Mandy's help.
Kevin: Yes, Auntie! I'm fine. Everyone is fine also.
Woman: We'll get you out in a bit. Just stay calm, dear.
Everyone stayed silent when Kevin was responding, but they couldn't any longer - especially Alice.
Alice *whispering*: Who's that woman? I know she's your auntie, but do we know her?
Wallace: Sounds like Ms. Yeung.
Alice: You mean the apartment owner? Our landlady?
Wallace nods.
Kevin *looks around before answering Alice's question*: She's my aunt.
The Others: What?!?!