Join Me

Alice is on her way to see a therapist when she gets stuck in the elevator and is made an offer she can't refuse.

“Alice,” a whisper sent goose bumps all over her body. Zooming around the woman confirmed she was in the elevator alone. The light above her head flickered and she felt a headache coming on. Alice rubbed her temples and tried to focus on the appointment to come. 

Her husband insisted she see a therapist since sleep had evaded her since the week before. When Alice did sleep visions of the devil invaded her mind. He spoke to her saying she would be happier elsewhere and should join him. John, her husband, kept telling her that it was stress from the renovation and her new job but Alice knew better. Depression had sunk in when she miscarried a month ago and Alice hadn’t been the same since.

“Alice,” a light breath tickled her neck causing the hairs to rise. A presence filled the metal prison and she tensed up. “Do not fear me.” Whipping around she stood alone in the confined space. The lights flickered again just before immersing Alice in darkness. The elevator jolted slightly before stopping making the young woman panic.

Shakily she pulled out her phone and shone it around trying to make out the call box. A metal plaque to her right came into view and she excitedly pushed the emergency button but no sounded emitted. Trying again only static responded. Alice tried selecting a floor but nothing.

“Join me,” she dropped her phone and fell to her knees. Curling up in the corner by the call box Alice flashed her phone around the metal container but still saw nothing. Taking a deep breath she tossed her phone on the ground and hugged her knees.

“It’s all in my head. It’s not real.” She began to rock back and forth unknowingly. Alice closed her eyes and tried to take deep breaths to relax herself. Her phone timed out and again she was cloaked in darkness. She quickly grabbed it and turned the device back on when suddenly a shadow against the far wall caught her eye. Goose bumps crawled up her entire body as she raised her phone to the right corner. She was greeted by a dark black figure facing the wall.

A small whimper escaped her lips and she quickly covered her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks. The creature turned just as her phone went black. All that could be seen were large red eyes that not even the darkness could hide. Too afraid to see more Alice lowered her phone and silently cried.

“Do not be afraid, I can help end your suffering.” A man’s voice echoed through the small chamber causing Alice to shift uncomfortably.

“I-I’m not suf-suffering,” she stuttered trying to sound confident but her sniffling gave away how terrified she truly was.

“Don’t lie my child. I see you spending your nights sleepless while you try to convince yourself you are happy in your marriage. I know your secrets. I can see what is in your heart.” A light touch graced her skin and she shivered.

“I don’t want to die,” she had to convince herself more than the devil beside her.

A deep chuckle filled her mind and she clutched her head wishing it would all end, “I can help you end it.”

Alice shook her head vigorously, “I have a husband who needs me.”

The man was beside her now; he leaned down to her ear. “We both know where he goes at night.” Wiping a tear away she tried not to think about his infidelity. “I can save you.” A warm hand rested on her left cheek and Alice noted it was the first time she felt safe and comforted since losing the baby.

She looked up into the piercing red eyes, “Why me?”

For the first time she saw true features. He was a tanned man with soft lines around his eyes; the devil was strikingly handsome. “Because I can save you.”

Taking his hand Alice felt herself being brought to her feet and handed a blade. She eyed it for a moment before raising it to her throat and dragging it along the skin. Her pain and misery ended as her lifeless body fell to the cold metal floor.

The man smiled darkly as he raised his hand clearing the scene before him. Slinking back into the darkness the lights came on and the elevator roared to life. 

Patiently, he waited for his next victim.