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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: JAM (02/09/17)
As I stepped out of my twenty-fifth-floor apartment and locked the door behind me, I checked my watch. Good, plenty of time. I was on my way to attend an important job interview in the city.

I pressed the lift button and waited as the numbers on the panel crept up to 25. The doors slid open silently and I stepped inside the vacant lift. The doors closed and I started to descend. The numbers crept down again: 25, 24, 23, then, suddenly, things went black. The lift shuddered to a halt. I found myself alone in total darkness. Blind terror came upon me. My mind seized up. There was no sound except the thudding of my heart. I had always suffered from a degree of claustrophobia since, as a child, I had once been inadvertently locked inside a small room for a couple of hours. Back to the present: I thought there must be an emergency button somewhere, but I was unable to see. Ah, how about some light? I checked my pockets for my mobile phone which could light up. Oh no! I must have forgotten to bring it. So here I am, stuck in a lift in China, where I don’t speak the language, without any means of communication except my voice.

I frantically banged on the door several times. “Help! I’m stuck inside here!” Silence. The thoughts now tumbled through my head. There had obviously been a power cut, so certain procedures would be put into place wouldn’t they, but how long would it take them to get me out of here? What if I’m stuck between two floors? How much oxygen do I have left? What if I want to pee? What about the interview? I sunk slowly to the floor and held my head in my hands.

About thirty minutes later – it seemed more like several hours – the light came back on and I felt a slight movement. I tentatively pressed the button for the ground floor. Relief surged within me as I continued to move down. I gave a silent prayer of thanks when the doors finally reopened and I was greeted by an array of smiling Chinese faces. Had they been waiting all this time to go up? I resolved there and then not to enter a vacant lift ever again.

I never did make it to the interview.
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This article has been read 407 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Judy Ewald
02/16/17
WOW!. That had to be scary. I think we all have an unspoken fear of being locked in some place and can't get out. You really were in a jam, glad it didn't take to long to resolve. well written.
C D Swanson 
02/17/17
I was shaking reading this, as I am a world renown claustrophobic!

Excellent job with this,

Blessings~
Dennis Gallemore
02/17/17
Powerful story!
Larry Whittington
02/19/17
Thank you for this writing. You have given us food for thought. We might determine to arm ourselves with a fear for any empty lift before we even enter it or prepare us for an exciting journey as the doors open to an empty lift. It is our choice what should we take?

This piece was well written and the emotions plainly shown.
Betty Overstreet
02/19/17
I feel as though I am in the elevator with you. You so described how I feel when my claustrophobia sets in.

I cant' stand to be closed in a room without windows and stuck in an elevator would be the utmost panic time for me. You are very gifted. Keep up the good writing!
Sherry Brock
02/24/17
Congratulations on your 3rd place level 2 ranking.! Keep writing.