The Elevator Boy of the Seventh Floor (⚜ English Edition ⚜) - CHAPTER FOUR ⚜ DESCENT

[Illustration 07] Inside the narrow elevator car, Ryan sits atop his suitcase while the elevator boy kneels to place a black leather shoe before his bare left foot. Yet the young man’s attention remains fixed upon the floor dial. Beneath the warm amber light, he appears courteous, composed—and remote. In the mirror behind them, a third figure still stands between them.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9pQXO8DXT
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The gate closed with one final scrape of metal.

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Outside, the corridor was cut into diamonds by the brass lattice. Cold white eyes remained crowded between the gaps as the elevator shuddered into motion.

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As the car began to sink, those eyes appeared to rise—slowly, row by row—until they slipped beyond the top of the frame and disappeared.

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The elevator fell quiet.

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It was not a comforting kind of quiet.

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The small lamp overhead swayed with the movement of the car, sending yellow light sliding back and forth across the deep red walls.

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The brass handrail had been polished beyond all reason. It held a warped reflection of the two of them, while the confined air carried the mingled scents of furniture wax, dust and some old, faded perfume.

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Somewhere behind the wall, the gears began to turn.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsetpE6yZhe
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Clack.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzykp1H1zL1
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Clack.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlWM4s785y
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With every sound, Ryan felt less as though the elevator were descending and more as though something deep beneath the hotel were pulling them down, inch by inch.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsUc1PUuz2
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The needle on the dial left “6” and drifted slowly towards “5”.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW0Q6W5EbA
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Ryan leaned against the wall and tried to bring his breathing under control.

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Now that everything had gone quiet, what had just happened seemed more absurd, not less.

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An entire corridor of “people” without faces.

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His own portrait hanging upon the wall.

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Telephones ringing simultaneously in dozens of rooms.

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And one of the shadows had picked up his sock.

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He looked at the elevator boy.

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The young man had lowered the brim of his cap once more.

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One gloved hand rested upon the control lever, his expression as calm as though the crowd outside the gate had been nothing more than a gathering of ordinary hotel guests.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR86XYjfrBX
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Ryan opened his mouth.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcawlm6qyU
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“The sixth floor—” He stopped.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTJKseXHzL
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How exactly was he supposed to put it?32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX9GzRFlGE
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“Is your sixth floor haunted?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMJUFwCb4r
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Asking a hotel employee he had met three minutes ago sounded less like a plea for help and more like the opening of a formal complaint.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjufDjCyvw
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Besides, the man was part of this place.

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The uniform, the cap badge, the white gloves—every part of him belonged here.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpiZMSDMHF

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If he knew something was wrong with those things, he might not admit it.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigzfZy14je

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And if he believed there was nothing wrong with them, that was probably worse.

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Ryan swallowed the question he had meant to ask.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl6ilXxHz4
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“…Do the guests on the sixth floor not sleep at night?” Ryan asked sheepishly.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpFmAA7rsO
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The elevator boy did not answer immediately.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnmriRpDMP
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“Some guests,” he said, “have stayed long enough that their hours to become…… irregular.”

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It sounded perfectly reasonable.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMmxNtIFVs
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Which, somehow, made it sound even ‘less reasonable’….32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xJiJb3aIp
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“Do they often stand outside other people’s doors?” Ryan asked.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSHpXFtZn8
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“Occasionally.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4gNDElDbt
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“And pick up other people's socks?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2eWCPcdzS
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The fingers resting upon the lever went still. The elevator boy seemed to consider this new information before replying. Then continued: “…That is less common.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiWXlQeSwH
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Ryan stared at him.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4afAMlDuFc
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The man had not asked what shadows he meant. He had not asked who picked up the sock.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSq36HErBM
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He had not denied any of it.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxicbVwQS4V
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Ryan came dangerously close to mentioning the note and the telephone as well. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWUyZJM8ZS
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The words were already on his tongue when he remembered the message written in dark red ink —32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYTocDciRz

“Go on and answer.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lt3eRJUkG
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— The Front Desk”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAZq6IAqp5

“Also, the telephone in the room…” Ryan began.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcnOCenFND
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The elevator boy turned his face slightly. “Was something wrong with the telephone?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVIE6W3hIT
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“……”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6cXLwh8wF
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They looked at each other for a second.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rIM20nSA8
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“…The ringer was too loud,” Ryan said at last. “If you’re taking feedback, I’d suggest turning it down.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgDROEZFGt
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“I shall pass your comments on to the front desk.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfrdcG8PXL
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“Actually, don't.” Ryan said quickly.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkm0AMzvmI
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The answer had come out far too fast.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoyD3OR9ZP
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The elevator boy glanced at him but did not pursue the matter.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWmEyNYr27
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The elevator continued its descent.

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5…32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUROkyrhmr
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The needle trembled faintly against the mark.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SoF5Vx2JG

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Silence settled between them once more. Then the elevator boy began to hum.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKVMliX3cR
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It was a very old French chanson.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0uLMtXDNE
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The melody might once have been tender, but he delivered it in broken fragments, his pitch wandering so freely that the song itself seemed uncertain where the next note belonged.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyWeQXIRi2
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Ryan endured it for ten seconds. “…Do you have to do that right now?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FRvJMqn4f
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“This is elevator music,” the elevator boy replied, still wearing his polite smile.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBVNCyHPDL
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“Elevator music does not sound like that,” Ryan protested.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZsXpvb8Gk
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“What does it sound like?” the elevator boy asked with what appeared to be genuine curiosity.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjImJ7O0vB
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“Very boring saxophone,” Ryan said. “The kind that makes you want to fall asleep.”

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The elevator boy nodded thoughtfully.

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Then he attempted to imitate a saxophone with his mouth. It was appalling.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYnwrNlZjS
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It sounded less like a saxophone than a rusted pipe caught in a strong wind. The noise erupted in shrill little blasts that seemed perfectly aimed at the human eardrum.

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Ryan raised a hand and touched his ear.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3H4snYcDI
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No blood.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYeF6hn5dM
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Good grief. Both ears still attached—and apparently still working.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ070mZVEDhO
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He had barely reached that conclusion when a laugh escaped him.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwah7FELZiN
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The sound surprised him more than anyone. Half a minute ago, faceless things had surrounded him in a corridor.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV8rYzmjTJ
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Now he was trapped inside an antique elevator bound for God knew where, laughing because its suspicious attendant who couldn’t imitate a saxophone.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygRkvOHVrq
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“Better,” the elevator boy said.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWhGqJnNCv
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“What's better?” Ryan asked, one eyebrow rising.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUb03XPeG0
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“Your face has finally regained some colour,” the elevator boy said.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumUrkM2mmX
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Ryan stopped laughing immediately.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbAHPcjf4Q
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The elevator boy did not pursue that subject either.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg02XA11CT
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His gaze dropped to Ryan's bare left foot. Its sole was grey with dust, the toes curled slightly against the cold floor.

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Ryan noticed him looking and quickly tucked the foot behind his right one.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlZgpcQx08
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The elevator boy turned and opened a narrow compartment beneath the attendant’s seat.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XnZ4Fydhj
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“You have storage in the elevator?” Ryan asked, eyeing the luggage-sized cabinet.

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“It is not storage,” the elevator boy replied calmly.

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He took out a black leather shoe and placed it beside Ryan’s bare foot.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaastZrpVhG
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The leather shoe was spotless, as though someone had polished it only moments ago.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lnebeqmin
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“Put it on,” the elevator boy said. “The floor is cold.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqitaGcPhs
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Ryan did not move.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YwURK3s2M
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────────────────────── ⚜ ─────────────────────32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJpWAKLKnv

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“Which guest did that belong to?” Ryan asked, still half-perched upon the suitcase and leaning away from the open compartment.

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“It doesn't belong to a guest.” The elevator boy knelt and guided the shoe onto Ryan’s foot before he could object.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06kf0pWGt3
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“Then whose is it?” Ryan asked again.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqdtVutkgg
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The young man did not answer. Instead, he glanced up at the floor indicator.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokSj9hoBd7
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“Tie the laces tightly,” he said. “You may need to run shortly.” 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA191Ls3PW
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Ryan looked down at the shoe.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU2eZGrnbH
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It was exactly his size.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrIRfkQkKn
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He very much wanted to ask why he might need to run, but the elevator boy had already turned back towards the lever, plainly having no intention of explaining.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhLfKO9vgY
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In the end, Ryan tied the laces.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb3gNpZsA5
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A faint chill lingered inside the leather shoe, one he could not quite place—as though the shoe had only just been taken from someone else’s foot.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtny4Q00A6T
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4…32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor4F4gOhwB
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The dial gave a small quiet click.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVMaDtbvGZ
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The needle stopped.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx0AGQOCaw
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The elevator’s steel gate remained closed.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Brxlv1nf5
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Beyond the lattice, however, there was no longer the sealed wall of another floor.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjrLmthsfg
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There was a vast dining hall.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxnijEzv3r
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Only half of the crystal chandeliers were lit. A long table stretched from just beyond the elevator gate into the darkness, its white cloth perfectly smooth and without a single crease.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5HXiZaVCQ
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Silver knives and forks, wine glasses and porcelain plates had been arranged with immaculate care.

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At every place sat a guest without a face.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzRo5MfAtH
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They raised their knives and forks, cutting stroke by stroke at plates upon which there was nothing at all.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A1jv99CPx
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There was no clink of metal.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOKYKjkWMf
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No conversation.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKacrJ6LOj
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Only dozens of hands repeating a motion that had long since lost its meaning.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhftiiHgIl4
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Ryan found himself moving closer to the gate.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWBivJImwr
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“What the hell are they eating?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRmeXiOlRA
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“Nothing at all,” the elevator boy replied, as casually as if he were commenting upon the weather.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R1fC21wCD
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“…Then why do they keep cutting?” Ryan asked, confused.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHpuPs8nO1
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“Because it’s dinner time.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lYslKCMUH
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One of the shadows lifted an empty fork towards a face with no mouth. It paused there for a moment, then returned the fork to the plate as though nothing had happened.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUouGvLh5Y
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemWpc5s5l0

“They’re ‘pretending’,” the elevator boy said quietly. “Pretending the days are still going on.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1kgQzlhlY
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wsu0tHjhy

The needle remained fixed upon “4.” And yet the elevator continued to descend.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ez2BC25e3
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92qSeOZ0VX

Ryan could feel the endless drop in his stomach—but the dining hall remained outside the gate.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdhnjA7ymU
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOiiZBj7mo
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuWHq6h1rM
The same long table passed before his eyes.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOPh6aDjHd
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5hNHjNPVx
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq4UBaU8Bt
The same chandeliers.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2YnkYbn2Y
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HfdKKu6jn
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoUW3lk9pY
The same faceless diners.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPKgEsLBvT
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJV7CEvjs1
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpRXhNogVf
Then the entire scene appeared again. And again.

32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdhcYFbFLn

It was like a damaged film caught upon the same few frames, replaying them without end.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwvzfKWgaa
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjjmh5oww7
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHO2c7ApHv
As though the whole fourth floor had been copied countless times and stacked in layers beneath the hotel.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXnCVyCtDS
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscAqJiYMiO

“Are we stuck?” Ryan asked.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtgBIpthqO
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPOXmUrfej

“No.” The elevator boy looked up at the motionless needle.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kjOAgcNSx
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkPeQ4HfhD
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOClAymyK5C
“The hotel doesn't want you to leave.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafo6NLkDoU
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0CI1R5nOK
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsDSP3WJ4l
For the first time, he turned to face Ryan fully.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtMVgiKuB3
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP9H6fP2Qa

He raised both hands. His white gloves settled on either side of his cap, lifting the brim by the smallest fraction. A pair of beautiful, dark eyes emerged from beneath its shadow.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkazOF6DqK

32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFk8MkuQVe
Then, in an instant, blackness spread soundlessly from his right temple and swallowed half of his face.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI96Czg7Km

32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSseyAcTN8
Deep within his right pupil, a single point of cold white light flickered to life.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOevcfGoiqk
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOJjlih1AC

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