Elevator

I'll try the elevator.

My teeth tingled as I watched and waited. Nobody appeared. It looked safe. I made a break for it.

I ran across the parking lot as fast as I could barefoot, ignoring the bits of gravel stinging against my feet. For over a hundred excruciating feet, I was completely exposed beneath the lights, visible to anyone who glanced over. I reached the door, threw it open, and flung myself into the hallway. My lungs burned. My heart thundered. But I had made it. Now for the next step.

I pressed the elevator button, slamming my finger down as fast as I could over and over. Come on, come on, come on... I was completely naked in the hallway, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, should somebody come out of the laundry room or decide they wanted a late-night soda. Move faster, elevator...faster...

The elevator dinged. The door opened.

It was empty.

Thank you, God. I slipped in, hit the button for the fifth floor, and began pounding the "close doors" button.

A door opened somewhere in the hallway. I pressed myself into a corner, trying to hide from view.

"Hold the door!" a deep, male voice called out as footsteps ran towards me. The doors closed with glacial slowness. Unable to do anything else, I continued to furiously press the elevator button, hoping I'd win the race.