Lucy Button rushed through the lobby of the New York Times building. She had long, deep brown hair pulled into a ponytail. she wasn't very tall, yet not very short either. She had to get her story to the editor by 3:00 today, and it was already 2:58. She ran and finally reached the editor’s office.
“I’ve got the story!” Lucy said in between pants as she handed the story to her editor.
“What is this? This was supposed to be handed in to me at 3:00.” He answered.
“Yeah, it’s 3:00. I got here on time.” She said
“Take a look at the clock. It’s 3:02. You’re late. No story.” He said with a look of complete arrogance on his face.
“It’s frickin’ 3:02 and you won’t let my story be in the paper?! Is this because I broke up with you last month?” She exclaimed in disgust.
The editor just raised his eyebrows as if to say “Isn’t it obvious?”
Lucy was furious. She stormed out of his office and walked towards the elevator. She pressed the button very hard and waited impatiently for the elevator doors to open. Lucy heard the beep indicating the doors were about to open. She picked up her messenger bag and walked into the elevator. Lucy pressed the button for the lobby and started to tap her foot, trying to pass the time. She looked over her shoulder to see if there was anybody else in the elevator. There was a man in a black suit, a woman gabbing away on her Bluetooth, and a mysterious man leaning in the corner with his head down so that no one could see his face. Lucy thought to herself, Try to make small talk with somebody. But stay away from the man in the corner.
“So, um, what’s your name sir?” she asked hesitantly.
“What? Oh, I’m Butch Anderson. I was applying for a job here, but that nasty guy upstairs, what’s his name, Mr. Smith? Something like that. Anyways, he turned me down because he thought my hair was ‘fake’ and he ‘couldn’t have any fake writers here’. What a jerk!” Butch said angrily.
“Yeah, I know. He didn’t let me turn my story in because I was two minutes late.” Lucy said shaking her head.
“Hey! You’re that writer, Lucy Button! I love your editorials. You do absolutely amazing work. Hey, do you think you could land me a job here?” he asked expectantly.
“Well, I don’t know if I-“
“Fantastic! Thanks, Ms. Button!” Butch said, cutting her off.
Lucy sighed as she contemplated whether or not to try to get butch that job. She heard a sudden gasp and the woman that was just talking on her Bluetooth was running out the doors. She must not be having a very good day, Lucy thought.
Butch and everybody in the elevator had left except for Lucy and that strange man in the corner. Once the elevator doors closed, the man started to speak with his head remaining downward.
“Lucy Button, you must come with me.” He said. His voice was very deep and she just wanted to bask in the beauty of it. She caught herself thinking that and mentally slapped herself in the face.
“But, I’ve got to get home! I don't even know where we're going.” She said.
“You must come anyway. You must trust me, or wait and see what happens.” He said, his voice mesmerizing her.
Lucy didn’t know why, but her feet started to walk on their own towards him. It was as if his voice was pulling her to him. What if he’s a serial killer? What if he just wants to murder me? What if- her thoughts just stopped. She felt a wave of calm rush over her. Lucy snapped out of whatever state she had gotten into, and came back to reality. The strange man waved his hand over the back of the elevator and a door appeared. He muttered something inaudible and the door opened. There was a bright light, so bright Lucy couldn’t see what was in front of her. She didn’t know what was ahead of her, but she still kept moving. Then, she heard the scream.
