Written by: Stephanie (Darkcrystal)
Feedback to: padawan98@hotmail.com
CHAPTER ONE
Nick’s POV
CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR
“You’re my shining star. That is what you are…”
“Nick. Nick! NICK!” Brian yelled at me, completely throwing off my concentration and my Shining Star performance. Remind me to be Howie’s roommate next time.
“What?” I answered distractedly, playing my Playstation 2. So, now he decides to wake up, we could have been having the tie braking Pod Racer race, but he was all good and dandy and went to bed early.
“Shut that thing off! Do you know what time it is!?” Brian shouted tiredly from his bed. “And stop singing. The concert’s over we don’t have to sing any more.” I pouted, hey it’s an instinctive reflex, but I did what he said. I turned off my game and stopped my continual mantra of the chorus of Shining Star. Mantra? Hey, I didn’t even know I knew that word. Anyway, I shuffled across the hotel room to Brian’s bed and sat down at the foot of it.
“Fri-ick?” I sing-songed.
“Wh-at?” he muttered, lying on his side, facing opposite of me.
“B-Rok, buddy, pal, will you play Playstation wit me?” Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes…
“No.” Damn
“Oh, c’mon.” I won’t go down without a fight.
“Listen, Frack,” Brian sat up talking calmly, but then increasing it to a yell, “Normally I would play with ya, but playing video games AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING, I DON’T THINK SO! Just go to bed.”
“But I can’t sleep.” I whined.
“Try drinkin’ some warm milk.” Brian advised me.
“I already tried that. I tried everything. I tried the milk, counting sheep, whatever. God, Frick I just can’t sleep.” I sighed. Brian didn’t answer. He just laid back down and closed his eyes. Damn that Brian. How can he just fall asleep in two seconds, while I sit here and suffer? It’s just not fair! Well, fine if he just wants to sleep when we could be playing video games, having fun, pulling pranks, then it’s just fine with me too. I’ll just continue my ‘concert’ before I was so rudely interrupted.
“You’re my shining star. That is what you are. There is no one like you baby.”
“Nick.” Brian warned, but that wasn’t gonna stop me. This is my favorite song after all.
“Angels everywhere. Every time you’re near.”
“Nickolas Gene Cater!” Uh oh, the full name. Dare I push Bri over the top? I dare.
“You will always be my baby. You’re my shining star. That is…”
“Aurg!” Brian pushed me off his bed, “Nick, would you shut the hell up!” Yes! I made Brian swear, my goal has been reached. “Listen buddy,” Brian warned, “if you don’t stop bugging me, and let me sleep, I’ll be forced to make the call.” Call? The call, no way he would betray me like that, would he?
“You wouldn’t.”
“Would to. If you don’t stop I’ll be forced to call daddy Kevin in here.” Might I add he said that with a wicked grin.
“Oh geez, Bri, c’mon. Besides, now that you’re up I have a great idea.” I smiled devilishly.
“I DON’T wanna here it.”
“It involves payback.” Brian shot up in bed and grinned with me. I got him hook, line, and sinker.
“So what’s your plan?”
The plan or shall I say MY plan was to get back at AJ. Why? Cos that punk got me and Brian in trouble, and for once we didn’t do anything. He put itching powder in Howie and Kevin’s bunks and made it look like me and Brian did it. And did Kevin and Howie believe us when we said we didn’t do it? Of course not. Get this Kev took away Brian’s basketball, and my Nintendo 64, like we were five years old or something. Not that it really mattered much to me, I still had my Playstation 2, but it’s the principle of the matter. And that principle is AJ must pay.
So the plan is to go down to the hotel manager and chef, explain the situation, slip a few bills, and get them to put hot sauce all over AJ’s breakfast. He orders the same thing everyday so we’d just tell the chef. Hopefully this would work, and if not there’s always plan B. Though I not exactly sure what plan B is at the moment, I’ll think of something.
Bri and I got dressed. Nothin’ fancy, T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. We made our way to the elevator. I pressed the down button.
“You think this’ll work?” Brian asked me. Brian you disappoint me, how dare you doubt my schemes.
“Sure Bri, it’ll work. And I say we invite ourselves into Howie and AJ’s room just so we can see the face he makes.” I laughed; this was like one of those MasterCard commercials. Bacon, egg, and toast breakfast: $12, Paying off a hotel chef: $200, Seeing your friend’s face as he bites into a mountain of hot sauce: Priceless.
After what seemed like a half hour the elevator finally came. This place had like fourteen floors, and we were on the eighth. It shouldn’t have took that long, but whatever. We got in the empty elevator, not really a big surprise considering it was like 2:30 in the morning and everything. Brian pushed for the lobby, and the doors closed.
Damn this elevator was slow, but I know exactly what to do to pass the time quicker.
“You’re my shining star.” Brian sighed and rolled his eyes at me. “That is what you are. There is no one like you baby.”
“Nick, what is with you and that song?”
“Nothing, I just like. Angels everywhere.” Brian sighed again.
“You’re weird, you know that.” Duh, Brian. It took you eight years to figure that one out. And you’re not exactly the spittin’ image of normal yourself there buddy. I was about to sing the next line when the elevator jerked. It threw me off guard and made me loose my balance. I fell face down on the floor, last time I checked the ground was a little more harder than this. I opened my eyes, which I didn’t realize I had been closing. Brian? Oops, I landed on him.
“Sorry Bri.” But he didn’t move; he didn’t even open his eyes. “Brian?” Still no response. Okay, I’m officially freaked out. Why won’t he wake up? Then I realize I’m still laying on top of him. Thank God no one else was in the elevator, it sure would have been a pretty sight. Me laying on top of my unconscious best friend. I got up, and noticed the elevator stopped. I pushed the door open button, but it didn’t work. I pushed it again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again…I think you get the picture. Why the hell wasn’t it working, I had to get help. I went back to try and wake Brian up again.
“Brian. Brian” This isn’t working, “Brian. Bri…” Oh just screw it, “GOD DAMN IT, BRIAN, WAKE UP!”
Ooookay, that didn’t do jack. Brian is out for the count. I picked him up and leaned him against my chest, only for the soul purpose so that he would be more comfortable. Nothing sexual, geez, some people and their perverted minds. Anyway, that’s when I noticed it. The bump on the back of Brian’s head. That’s what knocked him out. Who am I kidding, it was me. I knocked my best friend unconscious! Great, what if he has a concussion!! Oh man, what if he’s in a coma!!! Okay, okay, just breathe Carter, just breathe. This is no time to panic, let alone hyperventilate. Okay, I just have to think of something that will help me stay calm. ? ? ? ? ? I got it!
“You’re my shining star. That is what you are. There is no one like you baby.” Okay, okay, I’m calm, I’m calm. “Angels everywhere. Every time you’re near.”
“Nick, shut up.” Brian croaked.
“You will al…” Wait a minute, Brian! He’s ALIVE! *cough, cough* seriously I’m not crazy. “Brian, are you all right?”
“Yeah, I think so…Ah, my head.” He opened his eyes and looked around confused. Hey, I know I would. He noticed he was lying against me and quickly got up. Not a smart move by the B-Rokster. He practically crumpled back down to the ground. I freaked. Brian has to stop doing this to me. This is the second heart attack he’s given me today, and the sun hasn’t even rose yet! But all hail me, the Conquering Hero; I caught him before he hit the floor. I leaned him up against the elevator wall and sat down next to him.
“Whoa, take it easy there, Bri.”
“What happened?” Oh great, he has amnesia. I made him loose his memory! Breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe….
“Nick, what happened?” Wait, he knows my name, there is hope. Maybe he just forgot about the elevator stalling.
“The elevator jerked to a stopped, and you fell to the ground and hit your head. You’ve been out of it for 10 minutes” There’s really no point in telling him that I fell on top of him. I mean that would only complicate things. “Are you okay?”
“I’m so tired.” He replied weakly, and then he dropped his head on my shoulder and fell asleep. This is normal right? Hitting your head and being sleepy? *Yawn* Speakin’ of sleepy. No, no. I can’t fall asleep. I can’t fall asleep. But this continual little speech didn’t do any good. I hadn’t gotten any sleep that night and I could barely keep my eyes open. I closed my eyes and rested my head on Brian’s. I quickly drifted asleep hoping by the time I awoke someone got the elevator working and could get us outta here.
~*~*~
I woke up to what I could have swore was Kevin giving me yet another lecture, on how I screwed up YET AGAIN. But no, I was still stuck in this elevator. I looked at my watch. 3:36. Guess I didn’t sleep for long. I rolled my neck; it was sore from sleeping in a weird position. And not to mention my right arm was numb. Brian was still fast asleep on my shoulder. He looked so innocent sleeping. I hear people say he’s innocent looking all the time. Ha, innocent my ass. If only they saw my best buddy two weeks ago putting wood glue in Kevin’s shampoo bottle. It was hilarious; I don’t think I laughed so hard in my life. Especially when Kevin retaliated by picking Brian up and hauling him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Kev threw Bri in the shower and blasted on the ice-cold water. Talk about cousinly love, right? It still amazes me how much Brian sounded like a girl when he screamed, and I swear to God when Kev finally let him come out, Brian actually looked blue!
As nice a trip down memory lane that was I still gotta think of a way to get outta this mess. But first I would like to regain the feeling back into my arm. And I hafta make sure Brian’s okay. “Brian. Brian, wakey, wakey.” I wish he would just make it easier for the both of us and just wake up. Or at least easier for me; recovering circulation in my arm would be nice. “Brian, wake up. You’re freaking me out here Bri, wake up! Please Brian, don’t scare me like this! Wake up! C’mon, let me know you’re alright, man! Brian, wake up! I’m giving you ‘til the count of three! One, two, two and a quarter, two and a half, two and three quarters, three!” Well, can’t say that I didn’t warn him. If this doesn’t wake him up nothing will. I took a deep breath. “BRIIIII-AAAN!!!”
Well, he woke up…..screaming…at me. Oh, did I forget to tell you that I screamed a half an inch away from his ear?
“Nick, what the hell was that for?!” You know, maybe it’s just me, but have you ever noticed how Brian’s accent gets thicker when he’s angry. Just thought that I’d point that out. Okay so anyway, he was upset. But I have a plan. Time to bring on my infamous pout and my designated ‘I’m sorry Brian’ voice.
“I’m sorry, Frick. It’s just you wouldn’t wake up no matter how I tried to get you to, and I thought you might’ve gotten really hurt.” Hey, don’t look at me like that. I didn’t lie. So I didn’t try everything to wake him up, but I was still really worried about him. Bri is my best friend after all.
“Well, it’s okay. And I’m fine really; I was just tired that’s all. I just have a little headache, but really I’m fine. Sorry to worry you.” Wow, worked even better than I thought, he’s actually apologizing to me.
“It’s okay, Bri, as long as you’re alright.”
“Nick?”
“Yeah.”
“Why are we still in the elevator.”
“Well, the elevator jerked to a stop and you hit…”
“I remember you already told me that Nick. But why are we still in here?” Uh-oh, he isn’t gonna be too happy when he hears this. Maybe if I pretend like I didn’t hear him. “Nick?” Okay, that didn’t work. I just gotta face it like a man and tell him, yet somewhere in the back of my mind I can hear my childhood voice: ‘Mommy?’
“Uh, Bri the elevator stalled and the doors won’t open, so, um we’re kinda, um trapped.” There I said it. Now all I gotta do is close my eyes and wait for the yelling to come.
“WHAT?!” Hey, not as bad as I expected. Brian went quiet, probably thinking over the situation. “You already tried the door?” Brian asked.
“Yeah.” I got up and pressed the button repeatedly to show him it didn’t work.
“What about the emergency phone?” The emergency phone? Doh! Homer Simpson moment. How could I’ve forgotten about that? Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid…
“Uh, I really didn’t think about that.” Brian raised an eyebrow at me, giving me that ‘are you serious?’ look .
“Nick, are you that dense?” Ouch, that one hurt. “How could you have forgotten about the emergency phone? Some one could’ve already been able to get us outta here by now.”
“Well, I’m sorry okay. I guess I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“You damn right you weren’t…”
“No Bri let me finish.” There was no way I was going to let him chew me out. “When the elevator stopped I was freaked, but when I saw you lying unconscious on the floor, it scared me, okay. I thought you were seriously hurt. I was trying to think of ways to get out, but I keep thinking ‘bout you. Sorry if me caring about your health stopped us from being saved quicker. I love you bro, I didn’t mean to make you upset.” Wow, what can I say, I’m deep. I meant every word.
“Gee, Nick I’m sorry.” Brian stood up and gave me a hug, “I love you too man. I understand, you were under a lot of pressure, I’m sorry. Thanks for carin’ so much. But we shouldn’t be wasting any more time. I’ll call.”
“Wait Bri, I will.” I grabbed the phone, but Brian still had a firm hold on it.
“C’mon Nick, you wouldn’t know what to say.”
“I would to. Give it.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.” Well, the tug-o-war match began, and the outcome wasn’t really a pretty one. Brian and I both pulled at the phone. Then the snapping noise came, followed by me and Brian flying to the back of the elevator. We both were still holding the phone, and then I realized there was no way the phone’s short cord would reach over here. Uh-oh. You guessed it, that snapping sound was the phone cord breaking in the middle.
Brian stared at the broken cord dangling off the end of the now useless phone. Then he stared accusingly up at me with narrowed eyes. Now don’t think I’m a chicken or anything, but I let go of the phone and stepped back from him ‘til I was against a side wall. I mean Brian’s a good person. He’s the nicest and best friend a guy could have, but when he’s really mad, he can be deadly. I had a feeling there was gonna be another fight, this time physical. At least I had a height and weight advantage. Not that Brian could ever beat me or anything, it’s just well, damn his punches hurt.
Brian had his jaw clenched, and continued to stare dead into my eyes. *Gulp* yeah, I would use the word dead. He was slightly shaking, not cos he was scared mind you, but cos he was furious. I could hear his deep angered breathing. I could tell he was trying to calm himself down, but I give him five seconds ‘til his bomb goes off. Five, four, three, two, one…
“NIIIICK!!!” Do I know my best friend or what? Bri threw the phone down hard to the floor. He started pacing around the elevator, mumbling harshly. I couldn’t quite make out the words, but I had I feeling after we got outta this Bri’s mouth would need to be washed out with soap. Not that I blame him, I’m surprised I’m not cussing myself. Then Brian started kicking at the walls. I didn’t try to stop him. I mean better him taking out his anger on the walls than me, right?
He was about to turn around and yell at me, but I was ready. I was loaded with a billion reasons why it was as much his fault as it was mine. But the yells never came. The elevator suddenly lurched to the side and back again. Breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe. I shouldn’t have to keep reminding myself to breathe like this, but the thought of being trapped in an elevator as it crashes can certainly make a person forget! I looked over at Brian. The anger was completely gone from his face. His eyes were wide; he was definitely afraid.
“N-Nick,” He slowly shuffled back to the wall opposite from me and held on to the railing, “what floor are we on?”
Hmm? We started on the eighth. Before we stalled the fifth floor light was blinking. So we’re probably stuck in between the fourth and fifth floor.
“I think between the fourth and fifth, Brian.” He face went white. I knew exactly what his was thinking. ‘I’m trapped in a tin box dangling by a wire, five stories high!’ And poor Bri, he’s afraid of heights. He was shaking again and this time it was definitely cos he was afraid.
“It’s okay Bri, we’ll be okay.”
“Will we?” I could hear the fear in his voice, “What if the cable snaps and the elevator crashes and we, and we…” Die? No, that is not going to happen. But what if it does? It could break at any time without warning! Bri and I could crash to our deaths and no one would even know! Deep breaths, deep breaths. No, no. I gotta stop. This kinda thing doesn’t happen. That’s it! It’s not happening, it’s a dream. This kinda situation never happens in real life only in some stupid sitcom or some stupid book plot. That’s it, it’s a dream. Wake up Nick! Wake up! Wake up!
“Nick, what are we gonna do?” Brian’s desperate plea brought me back to reality. And that’s what I had to do, face reality. It’s not a dream. It’s real. I have to stay calm for Brian. I am going to stay calm…or at least try.
“We just have to be patient,” Whoa, did I just say that, I must be sick, “and wait for help to find us.” He let out a long shaky sigh, as he slowly slumped down to the floor. I was gonna crawl over to him, we were sitting across from each other, but he yelled out nervously to me.
“No, don’t! What if the elevator tips cos there’s too much weight on one side?!” I stayed in my spot. What if the elevator tips c… NO, no, no. I have to stop thinking every little bad thing Brian thinks is gonna happen will happen. But still he does have a point…No, there I go again. I stayed in my spot anyway so I wouldn’t freak Brian out any more than he already was. He looked so scared, like a cornered rabbit or something. Poor Frick, I wish I could see him smile, and forget about our ‘little mishap’ here. I know the perfect thing.
“You’re my shining star. That is what you are. There is no one like you baby.” Worked like a charm.
Kevin’s P.O.V
“Nick! Brian! Time to get up. C’mon you guys it’s five o’clock, let’s move it!” I pounded on our joint room door. “NICK! BRIAN!” They do this every morning. Pretend not to hear me, stay in bed, and make us late everyday. Well, not today.
I unlocked the door and went inside. “Brian! N…” What the hell? Their beds were empty. Needless to say, but this was a little more than odd. They weren’t anywhere in the room, so I checked the bathroom. Not in there either. Maybe they’re with AJ and Howie. I went back through my room to the other joining door. I knocked, and Howie answered. Good he was up; maybe Brian and Nick were in there.
“Mornin’ D, you guys up all ready?” I greeted.
“Yeah, couldn’t help it with all your yellin’ at Nick and Bri.” Howie smiled and ushered me into his room, “So you got them up that quick, must be a record, huh?”
“No, I didn’t. Aren’t they in here?”
“Why would they be in here?” AJ asked as he came out of the bathroom.
“Well, I went to drag their lazy asses outta bed, but they weren’t in there.” I explain, “Have you seen ‘em?” I was answered by shakes of their heads. Okay, where they hell are they? They’re not stupid enough to wander around the hotel by themselves, so… What I’m I kidding, yes they are. Oh, when I get my hands on those two little…
“Did they leave a note?” Howie asked breaking my thoughts.
“I didn’t check.” How could I have not thought of a note? Oh well, maybe they just went down to the café or the gift shop or something.
“Well, let’s go check.” AJ led the way, “The sooner we find Frick and Frack the sooner we can get on that bus, and I can go back to sleep.”
We searched the whole room, and didn’t find any note. I was startin’ to get worried. What if something bad happened to them? What if someone broke into the room and kidnapped ‘em? Oh no, I’m startin’ to think like Nick. I gotta calm down. They’re just in the café. Yeah, that’s it; they’re just down in the café.
“Uh well Kev, maybe they went down stairs to the café to get something to eat.” Howie said.
“Just what I was thinkin’, D. Let’s go check.”
We went to the elevators and I pushed the down button. Damn this elevator was slow. We waited a good five minutes. It must be broken. Well, no use in standin’ around.
“C’mon you two, let’s take the stairs.”
“Uhnnnhh, the staaaairs.” AJ being AJ ever so dramatically moaned.
“Please J,” Howie rolled his eyes, “ the elevator’s probably broken, so there’s no use just waiting here. Let’s just take the stairs.”
“I stand by my depressed groan.”
“Oh please.” I sighed and dragged him to the stairs. “It not like eight flights will kill ya.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold it.” AJ stopped, and looked at me with unbelieving eyes, “EIGHT flights?”
“Yeah, we’re on the eighth floor dufuss.” Howie playfully smacked him upside the head. “Let’s just go.”
Every step we took AJ wouldn’t stop whining if we could stop at the next floor and see if the elevator was working. I swear if Howie wasn’t in between us, I wounda strangled him. Finally, I just got fed up with it. I caved in at the fifth floor; I mean there was no harm in checking if the elevator worked. It would save us the energy.
“Fine J, we can check. Just shut up all ready.”
“Yes!” He cried like he just won the lottery or something. Me and Howie just smiled and shook our heads at him. We followed him to the elevator, and I pushed the button again. Five minutes passed and it didn’t come.
“Well AJ, let’s just go back and take…” AJ interrupted me with a shout.
“No! Let me try it. He pushed it like twenty times in a row. And I swear I heard him whisper a quick prayer to God that it would work. It’s quite sad really. I mean does AJ think he’ll die if he takes the stairs. I admit it’s not fun, but really, grow up. We waited another five minutes. This was ridiculous.
“AJ, let’s go we’re gonna go find Brian and Nick right NOW.” I gave him my famous death glare and that shut up whatever argument he was about to shout back at me.
“Don’t be so glum chum.” Howie smiled, “Only five more fl…Wait do you guys hear that?”
“Hear what?” I asked
“Listen.” He simply instructed. I strained my ears and I finally heard it. It was our song, Shining Star. But there wasn’t a radio out here, and plus it sounded like only Nick was singing it. I glanced both ways down the hall but didn’t see him or Brian. Maybe some fan had it playing in her hotel room, but it sounded like it was coming from the….the elevator? No, it couldn’t be; the elevator’s broken.
“NICK!” I heard a faint angry yell, unmistakably from the elevator, and unmistakably Brian’s voice. How can they be on the elevator when it’s broken? That would mean that they’re….Oh no.
“AJ, Howie, uh I think I know where Nick and Brian are.” They both looked toward the elevator, and I nodded. I had to make sure they were right. I pounded on the closed metal doors and shouted to my lost band mates. Hell, they’re my brothers.
“BRIAN! NICK!”
~*~*~ Nick’s POV
Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored, bored. Me and Brian have been stuck in this defective elevator for three hours. We really didn’t talk much. We would start on one topic, but Brian would always bring it to us falling to our deaths in this elevator. Not exactly a fun subject. Plus I don’t even really know if I wanna talk to him. Brian has been acting strange this past hour. For the whole hour he hugged his knees up to his chest and rocked back and forth mumbling anything from prayers to God to ‘I’m gonna die.’ I know it’s because he’s scared, but he’s starin’ to freak me out again. I mean he’s still doing this rocking, mumbling thing. It’s like he’s hypnotized or something. I gotta snap him outta of it, before he drives us BOTH crazy. What can I do? What can I…….Of course, DUH!
“You’re my shining star. That is what you are. There is no one like you baby.”
“Nick.” He said quietly, looking across to me. I looked back at him, but I didn’t stop singing.
“Angels everywhere.”
“C’mon Nick you’ve been singing that stupid song on and off for like two hours, shut up.” Okay, success, he’s outta his shock, but why stop singing now?
“Every time you’re near. You will always be my baby.”
“Nick, please.” He said through clenched teeth. Now there’s the Brian I know and love, (the Brian who yells at me constantly.) I know I should stop, but hey, I’m bored and the best-known cure for boredom is of course annoying someone. And considering Bri’s the only other person in here, that makes him the prime target.
“You’re my shining star.” Brain glared at me and covered his ears with his hands. You should know better than that Frick. You can’t tune me out that easily. Time to turn up the volume and kick it up a notch!
“THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE! THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU BABY!” Oh, he’s startin’ to crack. I’m so cruel, hahaha. “ANGELS EVERYWHERE. EVERY TIME YOU’RE NEAR. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABY!”
“NICK!” My God, I swear his eyeballs just popped outta his head. Shutting up.
Well, this is fun, silence. I mean what did I do to make Brain so mad? Okay, okay, so maybe I was a little annoying. ALRIGHT, so I was REALLY annoying.
“Nick?” Hey, that wasn’t harsh sounding at all. At least he’s not mad at me. Then again how can anyone stay mad at me with my pout face? No, just kidding.
“Yeah.”
“Did you hear that?” I was about to ask ‘hear what?’, but then I heard it.
“BRIAN! NICK!” Now this is one of the moments where I swear Brian and I share a brain. At hearing our names we both looked at each other and smiled, at the same exact time. Then we yelled out our culprit’s name.
“Kevin!” Brian and I stood up and started jumpin’ around yelling Kevin’s name. Not a smart move. The elevator tipped to the right, and Bri and I went tumbling to the side. Brian started freaking out again. I tried to calm him down even though I was scared shitless too. I think he should be the one calming me down, I mean he’s suppose to be the older one here.
“OH GOD, WE’RE GONNA DIE! OH GOD, NICK, WE’RE GONNA DIE!”
“No, no, calm down Frick. The elevator stopped jerking. We’re okay. We’re okay.”
“WE’RE GONNA DIE!” Okay that didn’t work, of course I feel like screamin’ that too. Well, might as well join him.
“KEVIN! KEVIN, HELP!” Brian stopped his ranting about death and screamed for Kevin with me. God I hope he was still there.
~ Kevin’s POV
“AJ, quick go get help!” I ordered him. But I think he was already on his way before I even told him to. I would have ran off for help too, but I had to stay there for my cousin and Nick. I mean, Brain was screaming they were gonna die. I feel so helpless. They’re screaming my name for help, and I can’t do a thing to help them. I have to let them know I’m here for them.
“BRIAN! NICK! I’M HERE! ARE YOU GUYS OKAY?!”
“YEAH!” Nick yelled.
“NO!” Brian yelled, I could tell he was scared, “KEV, GET US OUTTA HERE! HELP!”
“BRIAN, TRY TO STAY CALM!” Howie lent his support, “WHAT HAPPENED?!”
“WE WERE RIDING THE ELEVATOR AND IT JUST STOPPED.” Nick answered, “WE’VE BEEN STUCK IN HERE FOREVER!” Well, I guess it’s not too bad, the elevator just stalled. We can get them out okay. But then what was all that screaming about dying?
“KEV, HOWIE!” Brain yelled again in a panicked voice, “THE ELEVATOR KEEPS JERKING! IT’S GONNA BREAK OFF THE CABLE, I JUST KNOW IT! HURRY, GET US OUTTA HERE!” The elevator’s jerking? Break off the cable?! That can’t happen! It can’t! Oh God, if anything happens to them I d…No, I gotta stay strong for them. I have to stay strong.
“KEV! HOWIE!” Nick yelled, “ARE YOU STILL THERE?!”
“YEAH GUYS, WE’RE STILL HERE!” I assured them, “WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!”
“DON’T WORRY GUYS!” Howie called to them, “AJ’S HERE WITH HELP! JUST HOLD TIGHT!”
“HURRY!” I heard Nick scream. This whole situation was so surreal. I mean, this kinda stuff doesn’t really happen, does it? God, I hope Nick and Brian are doing okay in there.
~*~*~ Nick’s POV
“HURRY!” I yelled. Oh God, the elevator keeps jerking on and off now. Brian is freaking out even more so than I though humanly possible, but he sure proved me wrong. What are we going to do? What are we going to do? I am seriously starting to think the elevator will break off the cable. I gotta stay calm. I gotta stay calm. Breathe. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…
“HELLO! ARE YOU GUYS OKAY DOWN THERE?” Someone called to us.
“YEAH!” I answered and quickly covered Brian’s mouth so he could scream no, “BUT THE ELEVATOR’S SHAKING A LOT!”
“OKAY GUYS! I’M THE TECHNICIAN OF THE HOTEL! YOU GUYS JUST SIT TIGHT AND I’LL GET YOU OUT IN NO TIME!”
“OKAY, HURRY!” Yes! We’re gonna get outta here!
“Brian, you hear that? Were getting outta here!” His face brightened with that realization, but sadly it paled again as the elevator shook. This time it was more violent. And this time I panicked right along side Brian. Screw trying to stay calm! I’m frickin’ trapped in an elevator that could break off its cable any second!
“AHHHHH!” Brian and I screamed as we were flung to the back of the elevator.
“ARE YOU GUYS OKAY?!” I heard Kevin’s concerned yell, “NICK?! BRIAN?!”
“NO, GET US OUTTA HERE!” I screamed, I told ya so much for being calm.
“I’LL HAVE THE DOOR OPEN IN A MINUTE!” the technician yelled, “YOU GUYS JUST STAY CALM!”
Stay calm? Stay calm?! How in the blue hell are we supposed to ‘stay calm’?! Yeah, you say now you’ll get the door open, but you probably can’t until like five hours from now. And in like five MINUTES the friggin’ elevator’s gonna drop! We’ll never get outta here! We’ll never g… By a miracle of God, that tech guy proved me wrong. The door opened. Bri and I came face to face with the fifth floor, or would you call it the fourth floor’s ceiling? Anyway, my previous guess was right; we were stuck between the fourth and fifth floors. Cones and ‘CAUTION’ tape blocked off the fourth floor’s elevator opening. Up on the fifth floor a guy in a jump suit was staring down at us (the technician), and also were Kevin, Howie, and AJ.
“Are you guys okay?” the tech guy asked.
“What do you think!” Brian yelled, “Just get us outta here!” You tell ‘em Frick. Enough with the pleasantries, WE WANT OUT!
“Brian, calm down.” Old dependable Kevin to the rescue, “We’re gonna pull you guys up here, okay?”
“Why can’t we just jump down to the fourth floor?” It seems easier, right?
“No, we can’t do that.” The tech guy called, “Too much of a risk, someone could slip and fall down the shaft.” Oookay, I didn’t need to know that. Is this guy purposely here to freak me out? You coulda stopped a ‘no’ pal.
“Alright, here’s the rope.” He threw one end down, “One of you tie it around your waist, then after we pull one of you up we’ll get the other.”
“Okay Bri…” I went to tie the rope around him, but he cut me off.
“No Nick, you go first.” I was about to protest, but Brian had that determined look in is eye. He was having one of his ‘I’m you’re big brother, I’m gonna protect you’ moments, and frankly I’m touched. Oh, Frick you never cease to amaze me (especially when it comes to the wild pranks you cook up).
Brian helped me tie on the rope, and tech guy, Kevin, Howie, and AJ pulled me up. They all made grunting noises as they pulled. And I for one, am insulted. I mean, I’m not THAT heavy. I made it! I made it out! But then I heard Brian scream; the elevator shook again. Boy, do I feel guilty. I should be the one down there, not him.
“Are you okay Koas?” AJ asked me. Oh, the real sentimental side, and to top it off, he even took off his sunglasses!
“Yeah J, fine, but Brian’s not.”
“Don’t worry Nick, were getting him out right now.” Tech guy, AJ, and Howie were now pulling Brian up. Okay, now wait a minute. Four guys to pull me up and only three for Bri. I know Brian’s smaller than me, but c’mon, not that much. Kevin helped Brian stand and get the rope off. He ushered him off to me.
“Now if you two EVER to that again.” Oh great we were just in a life and death situation, and of course Kevvy wants to lecture. He smiled and gave us both a hug. Well, I sure wasn’t expecting that. He released the hug and went back into father mode. “Now what were you two doing in the elevator and the first place?”
“Well…”
( ( ( SNAP ) ) )
A sickening snapping sound cut me off. It was…It…the elevator cr…it…it dr… We coulda… elev… it…it…
~*~*~ Kevin’s POV
Nick looked stunned. Just standing there, staring with wide eyes at the EMPTY elevator shaft. That’s right, the elevator dropped. The cable snapped and broke. God, if Nick and Brian were in there any minute longer, they could have…
“K-K-Kev?” Brian asked me shakily, “Did the elevator just f-f-fall?”
“Yeah Brian, but don’t worry. You’re outta there, nothing happened.”
Brian and Nick looked at the elevator, to each other, to the elevator, and back to each other. They were both in shock. I don’t blame ‘em, I mean they both could have died; it sends shivers down my spine to think what could have happened. But there’s no use thinking about “what if” Brian and Nick are okay, and that’s what matters. Nick suddenly smiled and started singing.
“You’re my shining star.” What is he doing? Has he gone crazy? “That is what you are. There is no one like you baby.” Brian gave him a quizzical look, but then smiled and began singing with him. “Angels everywhere. Every time you’re near.” AJ, Howie, and I gave each other looks of “oookaaay” and continued to stare at Brian and Nick, who sunk down to the floor in a fit of giggles still singing. What…How…Why… Okay, I’m confused. How can Nick just start singing like that? God, what I wouldn’t give to know what Nick was thinking through this whole mess. But I guess no one will ever know.
THE END