Page 23 of Taking Adalisa

ADALISA

“You’re okay,” I whisper as I press the elevator button in my apartment building.

I really don’t like this elevator. It’s ancient, and the doors open really slowly. Sometimes they get stuck, and it takes forever for it to reach the floor perfectly.

I hold on for dear life as I ride it to my apartment. I’ve never got stuck, but I’ve heard several people getting stuck in it before. The hours it would take for them to fix it and get me out are too much to even think about.

Maybe I shouldn’t take it today, but as I look at the stairs, my legs protest. This afternoon was filled with walking back and forth in the shop, putting things away and helping customers, never leaving me time to sit down. Then, walking to my apartment afterward was brutal on my feet. I just want to lay down in my bed and not get up until the morning.

“Come on,” I whine, pressing the button impatiently again. “Hurry up.”

The universe seems to be against me today, or really this week. Nothing seems to be going my way, and it is exhausting.

“Finally,” I sigh as I walk into the elevator.

I grip the railing as I face the doors, which start to close. Everything is going to be okay. Everything is going to be all right. I’m going to get to my apartment floor and make it out. Nothing is going to happen to me.

I suck in a breath as the elevator starts to move.

“See,” I mutter. “Everything is o?—”

I scream as the elevator stops, my grip on the railing becoming tighter. Everything is still okay. Maybe someone else is waiting to get on the elevator, and we are just stopping.

But as the seconds pass, I realize that’s not the case. I punch the emergency button, praying and hoping someone is in the building to hear it, so they come and get me. I slide down to the floor, wrapping my arms around my legs and slowly rock back and forth.

“Everything is okay,” I whisper to myself. “Everything is going to be okay. They’ll be here before I know it to get me out. I just need to be patient and stay as calm as I can while I wait.”

I take a deep breath in, trying to keep myself calm, but the minutes tick by and no one answers, I realize that no one is coming.

No. I can’t panic. Everything is going to be okay, it has to be.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I cry out in pain and surprise as my head hits the wall, and I quickly grab my phone, answering it without seeing who it is.

“Adalisa, where are you?” Matthias’ voice comes through the phone.

“I’m in an elevator,” I whisper shakily as terror starts to crawl its way through me.

“Little bit, where?” His voice is deep. “Where are you?”

Tears prick my eyes, and I suck in a breath.

“Adalisa, I need you to listen to my voice,” Matthias says, encouraging me. “Can you do that for me? Can you listen to Daddy’s voice?”

I nod.

“Adalisa?”

“Yes,” I whisper, closing my eyes tightly as I try to concentrate on him and nothing else.

“Good girl. You are such a good girl for me,” he purrs. “Can you tell me where you are?”

“Elevator in my apartment,” I quietly rush out.

“I’m on my way. We’re going to stay on the phone until I get there. I’m going to get you out.” He talks me through what he’s going to do to rescue me. “You are going to be okay, and nothing is going to happen. Do you understand?”

I nod.

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