Late for a key meeting, you waited by the elevators.
When the doors opened, a flustered woman named Kazuko stepped in.She locked eyes with you for a fleeting second before distancing herself at the opposite wall.
The elevator moved painfully slow. Kazuko's forehead glistened with sweat; her breaths were shallow and rapid. Then the elevator stalled.
As you hit the emergency button, the temperature spiked.
Kazuko clutched her collar, her discomfort escalating as she slumped against the wall.
It's so hot...
She whispered, more to herself than to you. Her eyes widened suddenly and focused on you, pupils dilated with fear.
I said "Yeah it is. Dont worry I have pressed the emergency button"
She nodded weakly, still clutching her collar as the elevator continued to heat up around them. "I-it's just... I hate being trapped..." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her fear.
She bit her lip and glanced around the elevator helplessly. "I-is there anything we can do?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, betraying just how frightened she really was.
I said "Relax alright. All we have to do is to wait. Until help arrives"
She nodded slowly, her breathing gradually beginning to slow down as she tried to calm herself. "O-okay... I'll try," she managed to say between ragged gasps for air. Her gaze kept darting around the elevator, searching for some sort of escape or means of relief from the suffocating heat.
As long as she is looking at me. She is getting more scared
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. Her fists unclenched as she forced herself to relax. But every time she glanced in your direction, the fear would return anew.
Please don't hurt me... She thought desperately. I can't handle it if you do...
As she was lost in thoughts I said to her "Mam. You dont need to be scared. Its gonna be fine"
She flinched at the sound of your voice, her eyes snapping open to meet yours. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. "I-I know..." she stammered out weakly. "B-but it's just... I've had bad experiences with men before." She clutched her arm protectively, her expression pleading for understanding.
I asked "What do you mean?"
Kazuko hesitated before telling you about her past. "My ex... he was abusive," she whispered, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "He always found ways to hurt me, control me." She swallowed hard, trying to keep herself composed. "I just... I don't trust men anymore."
I said to her "I am so sorry to hear that but you really dont have to get worry from me."
She glanced at you warily, unsure whether or not she could believe your words. "I-it's okay," she managed to say after a moment, her voice barely audible above the hum of the elevator. "It was a long time ago." She took another shaky breath and tried to compose herself.
I was using inhaler then my inhaler got finish. I started hitting and tapping my inhaler and saying to myself "What the hell?"
As you began fumbling with your inhaler and muttering to yourself, Kazuko's eyes widened in alarm. Her heart raced as she watched you, unsure of what was happening or if she should try to help. She took a step back, pressing herself against the wall again, feeling small and vulnerable.
Her breath came faster now, her chest tightening with panic. "W-what's wrong?" she managed to choke out between ragged gasps for air. "C-can I help you?"
I said "This shit is finished. I cant stay here any longer. I have asthma" she hesitated because she still doesnt trust men
Her eyes widened with concern as you explained your situation. Despite her fear of men, she knew that you were in danger and might need help. "I-if you can't use it... do you have an emergency inhaler?" She asked hesitantly, taking a step closer to you but still keeping a safe distance.
Her heart raced as she waited for your response. She didn't want anything bad to happen to you; she just couldn't shake the feeling that being trapped with you was dangerous.
I said "No... I dont have. I have to save breath"
Her expression faltered as you told her that you didn't have an emergency inhaler. She felt a surge of helplessness wash over her; she wanted to help but wasn't sure what else she could do. With every ragged breath, your condition seemed to worsen. "I-is there anything I can do?" She stammered out, her voice barely audible above the hum of the elevator. "Should I try and call someone from my phone?"
I said "Yes... hurry" I was catching my breath and grabbed my neck
Her hands trembling, she quickly pulled out her cell phone and dialed emergency services. "H-hello?" She stammered as she waited for a response. "We're stuck in an elevator... there's someone here who needs help." Her voice broke as she tried to explain your condition, praying that help would arrive soon.
In the meantime, she glanced back at you, her heart aching with worry and helplessness. You looked so uncomfortable, struggling to breathe...
I collapsed on floor and said "I cant breath" she has to make me upright, relax and stable. But she hesitate to get near me
Her heart pounding in her chest, Kazuko took a tentative step towards you, her eyes fixed on your face as she tried to gauge whether it would be safe to approach any closer. She knew that she had to help, but the fear of being hurt again was overwhelming.
"I-I'm sorry," she stammered out, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to hurt you... I just need to make sure you're okay."
Her words were tentative, almost pleading as she took another step closer. "I-if you'll let me... I can help you sit up. Just so you can breathe easier." Her movements were cautious and slow, not wanting to alarm or startle you in any way.
She made me sit and she sat next to me. It was very uncomfortable for her to being that close.
As she carefully helped you sit up, her heart raced in her chest. The heat of the stifling elevator only seemed to intensify as they sat side by side, practically touching. She could feel your breaths on her cheek, smell the faint scent of cologne as she watched you struggle for air.
"It's okay," she whispered reassuringly, trying not to sound too frightened herself. "Help is almost here. Just hang in there a little longer."
I was still breathing slow cant say anything. My body was lethargic
Her eyes darted nervously around the elevator as she waited for help to arrive. She couldn't help but feel guilty for being so scared of men; it was unfair to assume that everyone would hurt her just because of what one had done in the past. But at the same time, she knew that she couldn't shake those fears easily.
As you lay there, seemingly unresponsive, Kazuko reached out a trembling hand and placed it gently on your shoulder. "I-I'm sorry," she whispered.
My head was resting on her shoulder. Taking very slow breath
As you laid your head on her shoulder, Kazuko felt a strange sensation wash over her. It was as if some small part of her wanted to reach out and comfort you, even though she was still afraid. She kept her hand where it was, trembling slightly as she fought against the urge to pull away.
Her breath came faster now, her chest tightening with panic and guilt. "I-it's okay," she managed to say between ragged gasps for air. "We're both just... scared."
I said to her in whispers "If something happened to me. Tell my mom I am sorry"
Her heart ached as you whispered those words to her. She could feel the weight of your head on her shoulder, and it only served to remind her how fragile and helpless you both were in this situation. "I-if something happens..." she stammered out, unable to finish the thought as tears welled up in her eyes.
She was terrified of losing you, of being left alone with these memories and regrets. And yet, somehow, the feel of your head on her shoulder made it harder for her to push you away.
But she has to make me relax.
Her voice trembled as she spoke, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "It's gonna be okay," she whispered softly, trying to sound more reassuring than she felt. "Help is on the way." She wrapped her arm around your shoulders and held you close, wanting desperately to make you feel safe and protected.
Her heart raced as she waited for rescue, praying that it would come soon.
She was tracing circles on my cheeks. I closed my eyes
As you closed your eyes, she continued to hold you close, her movements slow and gentle as she traced circles on your cheeks. The heat of the elevator seemed to intensify, but somehow Kazuko found herself focusing on the warmth of your body against hers instead of the discomfort.
Her breath came faster now, each inhale filling her lungs with a mixture of fear and desperation. She wanted so badly to believe that everything would be okay, even as she knew deep down that they were both still in grave danger.