Shadows stretched and twisted around me, forming shapes almost human. But I knew I was alone. Alone—and trapped. My own stupid ego had shoved me into this place to face my biggest, most irrational fear.
Why the hell am I stuck in the dark like some scared little kid?
It had started innocently enough. When Marcie stormed out for her break, Ms. Fallon asked Robert where he'd hidden the surprise present.
"It's in the perfect place—the archive room," he'd said as if his words hadn't dropped a bomb. "It even glows in the dark, like it's the ultimate present."
My bit my tongue at the mention of the room that I'm sure leads to hell.
"There's no way in hell you're going down there alone," I laughed out, as I noticed Ms. Fallon about to head down.
Maybe my fear of the dark had nothing to do with Ms. Fallon and her unspoken ones. Everyone has a fear. No one has informed her on what that room looks and smells like, so of course she was more than eager to retrieve the present. And Robert? He'd already finished his shift and left after everyone else heard the location and "mysteriously" disappeared. Which meant only one person could retrieve it with her—me.
Maybe if I'm the one to hand Marcie her surprise gift, she won't look at me like she's plotting my murder. Hell, she tried to hide it before her break, but I could see it clear as day from her desk.
I wasn't about to let anyone sense my fear. That would be the stupidest move of all. Minutes later, I forced the heavy, metal door open, muttering curses at Robert for ever thinking this was a "perfect" hiding spot. Ms. Fallon, of course, only made things worse. The moment she noticed how dark it was, even with the lone bulb flickering weakly overhead, she chirped something about fetching her phone for light. Then she left.
The door slammed shut. Darkness swallowed me whole. My whole stomach dropped. The key was useless—it only unlocked from the outside. And the bottom of the door was so rusted, I couldn't even slide the key under. I tried to level my senses as Ms. Fallon kept trying to open the door.
"I'm going to get some help," she shouted, already running to the elevators.
"Fucking hell," I muttered, clutching my arms in tight, trying not to think about how filthy this place is
I should've stayed put. Waited. But no—cause whoever opened this door would find me in a state twisted by fear. I couldn't let that happen. So I did the only stupid thing left: I went deeper, searching for the damn present.
Rack after rack, I moved through the maze until a faint neon yellow caught my eye. The gift! Seeing that Glow-in-the-dark paper felt like finding an ancient rune.
Great. Now I've got this thing—but what did I think? That wrapping paper would light the way out?
The air shifted. A sound whispered from behind me. Cold pressure pressed against the back of my neck like invisible fingers. I spun around.
Nothing. Just darkness.
Then came another sound. My heart leapt into my throat. Any normal person would've called out. But my bravery had already evaporated into thin air. All I could manage was a pitiful noise in my throat, the sound of a man unraveling.
Rats. It's just rats.
But my first thought—the one that made me feel insane—was spirits.
Shadows flickered at the edge of my vision, darting and dissolving as if mocking me.
Crap. I need to get out. Someone should be here sooner than later.
Then—a miracle. A glow from ahead, to the left. That one lightbulb lit up.
Holy shit. How did I get this far from the entrance?
But before I could move, the door slammed again. A sound like laughter echoed down the racks when that one lightbulb blew out. Fear crawled up my spine, burrowed into the scar at the back of my head. It prickled and itched. A memory threatened to claw its way forward—one I refused to think about. Not now. It's not the time though it's the perfect setting. The shadow ahead was different. Closer. Too solid to be my imagination.
"Is there someone there?" My voice cracked, weak. I clutched the glowing present to my chest like a shield.
Please. Please be human. Not a spirit. Just human.
The glow brightened, catching on a familiar face. Marcie!
I nearly dropped to my knees in relief.
"Ennio! Are you okay?" she yelled out, her voice sharp, slicing through the darkness.