That voice…
Her eyes flew wide, her lips parting in disbelief.
“Eric?”
It had to be him. After more than ten years of knowing him, she could never confuse his voice. He had seen her step into the elevator minutes before the accident and was now desperately trying to reach her.
“Eric!” she shouted, staying as still as possible.
“Eric! I’m down!”
Her voice echoed through the cramped space, yet no answer followed.
“Eric…” she shouted again, gazing upward in despair.
“I’m here…”
Eric pressed on, scouring every single floor.
His phone suddenly buzzed—it was Xander on the other end.
“Mr. Scott!”
Panting hard, Eric picked up, his chest tight from running.
“Any news?”
“The repair crew just checked in! The elevator jammed on the 19th floor! They’ve already—”
“I see!” Eric snapped, ending the call and sprinting straight toward the 19th floor.
By the time backup power kicked in at the hospital, the maintenance crew had already rushed onto the scene.
“Mr. Scott!” they called out upon spotting him.
Eric didn’t answer. His face was drained of color from all the running and shouting, and he brushed them aside, his attention fixed entirely on the elevator.
Slamming his palm against the metal doors, he shouted, “Hadley! Can you hear me? Are you inside?”
At last, a reply came—Hadley’s voice rang out from within.
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“Eric! I’m here! I’m right here!”
Relief washed over Eric, his throat tightening as he pressed his hand flat against the door.
“It’s me! Hadley, it’s Eric! I hear you—I can hear you clearly!”
“Yes!” From inside, Hadley broke down, tears spilling freely as she said, “Yes, Eric!”
The tremor in her words tore at him, filling Eric’s chest with worry.
She was weeping.
“Talk to me—are you hurt anywhere?”
She had stepped into the elevator on the 32nd floor, only for it to crash down and jam at the 19th—a terrifying plunge of twelve stories.
She had to be hurt—there was no other explanation.
“Tell me, are you in pain? Did you get injured?”
Hadley quickly tried to calm him.
“No, no… you’ve misunderstood. I don’t feel any pain at all!”
Although not completely certain, she reasoned that if her body wasn’t aching, then she was likely safe.
“Are you sure? Then why are you crying?”
“I… I’m just terrified!”
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