[Illustration 10] Beyond the brass lattice gate stood an old-fashioned lobby that had no business being on the seventh floor. Only a telephone rested upon the walnut reception desk. Behind it stood a receptionist dressed in Ryan’s clothes, with Ryan’s build—but where its face should have been, there was only smooth, featureless blackness. It held out the receiver towards the elevator.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JsxeQeOIx
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The elevator door slowly opened.
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The seventh floor was a lobby.
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A lobby that should not have existed on the seventh floor.
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The vast domed ceiling rose so high that its highest point disappeared into shadow. Angels painted across its surface bowed their heads to gaze down upon the room, every face carefully rendered blank.
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They – the Angels had no eyes.
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Ryan knew perfectly well that they were looking at him.
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A receptionist stood behind the front desk
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The thing wore a neatly pressed dark uniform, its hands folded politely before it.
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It had no face.
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The moment Ryan stepped out of the elevator, every angel upon the dome seemed to tilt its head downwards in perfect unison.
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The faceless receptionist lifted the telephone receiver.
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“Mr. Glenz,” came the voice out of it, sweet as syrup, “would you like to extend your stay?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYG7d5YfxE
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Ryan instinctively stepped back.
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“I don't—”
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“Don't explain,” the elevator boy said behind him.
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Ryan stopped.
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“Don't elaborate. Don't hesitate. Answer exactly what it asks, and nothing else.”
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“And then?”
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“Then answer the other call.”
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The elevator boy removed the white glove from his right hand.
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What lay beneath was not human skin, only darkness drawn together into the shape of a hand.
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The five long fingers curled slightly, their edges dissolving soundlessly like smoke.
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Ryan stared.
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“…You too?”
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“I am already one of them,” the elevator boy replied. “On the grand opening night, I hesitated for two seconds.”
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Ryan looked up at his face.
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Under the cap brim, those dark eyes remained perfectly calm.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1olXs5HjjE
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“So you’ve been trapped inside this elevator ever since?”
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“The elevator requires an operator.”
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“And in a hundred years, no one has arranged a shift change?”
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“Staff turnover here is… remarkably low.
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Ryan had no reply to that.
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The elevator boy held out the brass token.
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“After you refuse, put this into the narrow slot beside the telephone. It will connect you to an outside line.”
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Ryan did not take it immediately.
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“Is rescuing passengers also part of an elevator attendant’s duties?”
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“In general, no.”
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“Then why are you helping me?”
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“You ran halfway down a corridor with one bare foot while dragging a suitcase behind you.”
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Ryan blinked.
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The elevator boy continued, in an impeccably professional tone:
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“Pff, tap. Pff, tap. Pff, tap.”
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His imitation was, in fact, accurate.
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“It was extremely loud. The entire seventh floor heard you.”
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Ryan glared at him.
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“…You just laughed.”
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“I was not.”
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“The corner of your mouth just moved.”
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“Vibration caused by the elevator's operation.”
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“The elevator isn't moving.”
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“…Leftover shaking.”
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Ryan studied him for another moment before finally taking the token from that hand of living darkness.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HhjXqEjf9
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Cold brass settled into his palm.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4FAgqrrg5
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As their fingers briefly touched, the elevator boy’s shadowed fingertips seemed to tighten around his—just slightly.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfbDn0FH5W
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and then Add to home screen.