Page 43 of Waylaid in Whittier

“Other than the fact you know I’m not a fan of elevators. I dislike elevators that make a grinding sound and are super slow even more.”

“For such a fearless leader, you sure picked an odd thing to dislike.”

“I have my reasons.”

The doors finally closed. The elevator shuddered and the grinding sound resumed.

Millie instinctively grabbed the handrail. “We’re taking the stairs on our way down.”

The elevator shuddered, and Millie’s heart started pounding. “I wonder if there’s an emergency button if this thing breaks down.”

Sharky plucked a yellow placard tucked in above the button panel from its spot. He flipped it over.

Millie clutched her chest when she read the sign.Out of order. Please use stairs.“Something tells me this thing breaks down pretty regularly.”

“I wasn’t gonna say anything, but Elvira mentioned it in passing. It was out of service the last time she was here visiting Wanda.”

The elevator shuddered to a stop. The lights flickered but stayed on.

“Great. We stopped.” Millie gazed at the bar of buttons over the door and noticed the number three was flickering. She strained to hear noises…any noises, even the grinding sound.

Sharky jabbed the number button. Nothing happened. He pressed six, then seven, then one, followed by the “door open” button. “I hate to say it, Millster, but it looks like we’re stuck.”

She reached past him and pressed the emergency button. “Hopefully, someone monitors this relic and will rescue us.”

“Let me try my cell phone.” Sharky pulled it from his pocket. “Nope. Deader than a doornail.”

“Did you have to use the word dead?” Millie could feel the onset of a full-blown panic attack and combatted it by taking measured breaths. It would be all right. Eventually, someone would realize they were missing and come looking for them.

Cat, Danielle, Brody, all knew where they were headed. On the downside, they didn’t plan on seeing them until later…much later.

“What time are you supposed to be back on the ship?”

“I gotta be there to check in a special delivery at five. It’s three thirty. No one’s gonna notice me missing until at least five,” Sharky said. “Except for Elvira. She knows where we are.”

Millie attempted to make light of the situation. “Great. We’re leaving our fate in Elvira’s hands.”

“We’ll get out soon.” Sharky eased onto the floor. “I’m sorry I didn’t go with your idea to take the stairs.”

“It’s all right. It’s not your fault we’re trapped. I’m a magnet for elevator malfunctions.” Millie followed suit and plopped down. “Believe it or not, I feel fairly calm.”

“Maybe you’re finally conquering your fear.”

“It’s not a fear, more like an intense aversion if that makes sense.”

Sharky started to say something and stopped.

“What were you going to say?”

“Earlier, when we were talking about Elvira, I got the impression you don’t like her.”

Millie thought about his comment and carefully chose her words. “I don’t know her very well. I will say she’s an interesting person. If you’re happy, then she’s good in my book.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot lately.”

“About what?”

“The last time we talked about the future, I told you I was socking some money away and thought maybe I would buy a houseboat or find a small place near the water,” Sharky said.

---