Stuck in an Elevator
Summary: With Victoria nowhere to be found, Bella must still live life. On the way to a job interview, Sam accompanies her, only for them to get trapped in an elevator with a clumsy man named Dan.
Bella waited for the elevator to stop at the lobby floor looking at Sam. "I swear they're going to think you're my bodyguard," Sam just chuckled. "Technically I am, just from the undead variety," Bella snorted. "Right, different to see you with actual clothes on," Sam nudged her with his elbow, the elevator dinging as the door opened.
After letting the people on get out, the two walked inside, and Bella glanced down at her sheet, whistling. "Top floor," She hit the button, stepping back in case anyone else wanted to get on. The doors closed seconds later, and Bella leaned against the wall, shifting from side to side. "You'll be fine, don't be nervous," Bella shot him a look. "Who says I'm nervous? Can you smell that too?" Sam chuckled, looking at the numbers light up. They had 7 more floors to go.
"No, you fidget. We've come to know your quirks Bella," Bella rolled her eyes. "Yeah in a little over 6 months," He laughed softly, but it almost sounded like an echo in the enclosed space. "Wolf thing…kind of," The elevator dinged on one of the floors, and Bella and Sam scooted over.
A man wearing what looked to be a janitor's outfit, came on, smiling in their direction. He hit a button, and they waited as the elevators closed. Bella gave a tight smile as he leaned back staring at her. Feeling a tad uncomfortable, she cleared her throat, scooting a bit closer to Sam.
The doors closed, and Bella looked at what floor they're on. They had 3 more to go, and it didn't look like anyone else was stopping. "Hey uh, you're going to that interview upstairs?" Bella nodded. The janitor nodded, shooting her a thumbs up. "Good luck. Heard the boss is a major dick," Bella just hummed in response. "Your shoe is untied," Sam nodded in the direction of his foot, and the janitor bent down quickly, saying a quick thank you.
The doors started to open and Bella got ready to high tail it, but before they could fully open, the elevator jerked, the doors closing, and Bella could feel that little tickle in her gut as the elevator dropped. The elevator suddenly stopped, throwing everyone to the side, even Sam.
Bella and Janitor fell into the corner, Bella wincing as her elbow caught his arm. Sam was able to maintain some of his grip. "I am so sorry," Bella apologized, helping him to his feet. The lights flickered for a brief moment before steadying. "It's fine," Bella moved away, pulling her arm from his grasp.
She glanced at him, eyes widening as she looked down at his pants. "Oh God," She muttered, looking away. Sam handed Bella her folder, just raising a brow in disgust. "Sorry just, it's been a while," He chuckled sheepishly. "We don't need the story," Sam said, gently pulling Bella back to his side of the elevator.
The janitor was a skinny man, kind of tall, with short brown hair and big glasses. "Uh, there is a call button, just let me see," He wiped his hands on his pants and moved towards the buttons. Bella shrieked as he tripped on his shoelace, his shoulder hitting some of the buttons. "Are you alright?" Sam asked, moving to check him over. "Yeah, I'm fine," He waved him off, pushing his glasses up his face. "Oh," Bella stood on her toes. "Oh?" She asked, trying to see.
He looked towards them, frowning. "I broke it," Silence passed between them, and Bella moved forward pushing the janitor to the side. She pressed the button, stopping to listen. She turned towards the janitor, grabbing him by the shirt. "How the fuck do you break a button?" She growled, shaking him. "The emergency button?!" Sam grabbed Bella's arm, pulling her off the sweating man.
"Hey, calm down," He soothed, looking to the Janitor. "I don't like small spaces," She admitted, crossing her arms over her chest. Sam sighed taking a look at the buttons, pressing it himself. "Someone will find us. The elevator has to work. It's the middle of the day. Bella, do you have your cell?" Bella shook her head. "No, I left it in your truck," Bella paced the small space, running a hand through her hair. "What's your name?" Sam asked. "Um, Dan. I'm really sorry about this, I'm a klutz," Bella snorted.
"You don't know klutz. Well, what about the fire hazard button?" Sam pointed to the roof of the elevator, making his way over to her. "Well, that won't work because as soon as you hit the button it trips off the…." He was cut off by Dan who exclaimed, "Oh this button?" Sam whipped his head around shaking his head. "Don't touch that…." Sam face palmed as Dan hit the button tripping the sprinkler system. "Button," He muttered, instantly being doused in water.
Bella glared at Dan looking at Sam. "Is this what you've been putting up for the last 6 months?" Sam just shook his head. "Not even close, look, Dan, just don't touch anything. Elevators should have its own valve that releases the water into a safety pump,"
Sam led Bella to the opposite corner, standing in front of her. "Calm down, just breathe, we'll find our way out of here," Bella leaned around, looking at Dan. "Not with him in here, why can't I just have a normal life?" Sam chuckled, leaning down, "You run with wolves, no way you can have a normal life," Bella let out a deep breath, sighing, looking down at the small puddle that was growing in size. "Um, Sam? Shouldn't that water be…I don't know…. exiting out of some drain?" She stomped her foot lightly hearing the little splash of water.
Sam tried his hardest not to show his concern, but he didn't like the way that sounded. "Just give it a minute," He said, looking down at the floor, and they all waited, watching to see if the steady stream of water would continue and if the elevator floor would fill with water. "Um, sir? Sam is it? It's been exactly 1 minute and 45 seconds, that water isn't going down," Sam and Bella both cut their eyes to Dan, "Shut up Dan," They chorused, and Sam went to the plate that held all the buttons shaking his head in exasperation. He didn't know jack squat about technology like this, maybe knew his way around some wood, sure, but this was a new ball game. "Come here Bella," By now the water was to their ankles and steadily rising.
Bella strides the short distance, looking up at him. She grabs a hair tie, pulling her hair up. "Is it me or is it kind of warm in here?" Bella and Sam shared a look, and Bella smiled at Dan. "It is a bit stuffy, just our body heat being in one space," Dan just hummed, pushing his glasses up his nose. "What do you need?" Bella whispered, looking at the metal plate. "There must be some wires behind this that has to do something, one of them have to turn off the sprinklers," Bella nodded, looking at the plate. "Are you sure?" Sam hesitated in response but looked at her seriously. "I honestly have no idea, this technically shouldn't happen. I'm going to pry this plate off and I want his attention off me as much as possible. Won't do us any good if I expose myself," Bella glanced back at Dan. "Distract him how?" She asked, shooting Dan a smile. Sam shrugged. "I don't know, talk to him,"
Bella crouched down next to Dan, who looked at her quite surprised. "How are you doing?" She asked, trying not to get her butt fully submerged in the water. Dan glanced at her, slicking his hair back. Dan wasn't a bad looking guy, and with the right look, he'd be a looker. Having his hair slick back made him a bit more appealing. "Well considering that we've been in this elevator for 30 minutes now, my day could be better. I can't truly apologize enough. I'm not great with people,"
Bella patted his shoulder. "We all have our moments. I trip over my own two feet," Dan sat up, his brown eyes reflecting the light of the elevator. "You? No way," Bella nodded, smiling in Sam's direction as he snorted. "Yeah, I'm the klutz of the family," Dan looked between the two, a blush spread across his cheeks. "You two? Oh, I am really sorry, oh my god, I had a boner," Bella face palmed. "No, Dan, no. We're not together. We're like family, but let's not mention that uh… yeah….okay?"
Bella ignored the large pop of the metal plate, Dan too engrossed by a woman talking to him that even he didn't notice. "Crap," Bella glanced over at Sam. "Crap what? Don't say crap," She pleaded, coming to stand behind him. She looked to see what his problem was and frowned. "Which wire is it?" Sam shrugged. "Not sure. Dan, do you know anything about water valves in here? Would any of them connect to a wire?"
Dan stood up slowly, coming to a stand behind Sam. "There should be a knob that you can turn," Bella looked back at Dan, then back to Sam. "Well?" She asked. "It's not here," Sam murmured. Bella ran a hand through her slick hair, looking around. "Are you telling me we'll drown in here?" She asked, bending down to see if she could see what Sam couldn't.
The water was already up to her knees, and she'd be the first to go. As if sensing her thoughts, Sam looked at her. "You know I'd hoist you to the top," She tugged at a piece of his hair, a familial thing they did. "I know, how is this possible exactly?" She asked, her face scrunching up at the water.
Dan looked around the elevator, pointing towards the ceiling. "It might be on top. These are one of these high-tech pieces, and probably put the valve on top," Bella looked up, and then back to Dan. "You mean…through the roof? Have you ever seen Final Destination? You know those movies about freak accidents that just don't happen, but yet can possibly happen to anyone? There was one with an elevator you know, I don't think that's a good idea," She rambled.
She looked to Sam, hoping he'd take her side. "It's not, but it's the only idea we have. I'll hoist you up," Bella bit her lip, but moved out of the way as both men poked at the ceiling till one of the squares came down.
"Got it," Sam said, turning to look at Dan. "You ready?" Dan nodded, put his foot into Sam's hands. Sam pushed upward, nodding in approval as Dan's head went through the top. "Do you see anything?!" Bella called, standing behind Sam. Dan didn't say anything, and Bella grasped Sam's shirt in fright. The water suddenly shut off and Dan's face popped into view. "Found it," He smiled. "We're right under a door, maybe we can pry it open?" Dan asked. Sam tilted his head, looking to Bella. "Best chance, I'm sending Dan back with you. Our weight will be too disproportionate," Bella nodded, chewing on her thumbnail. Sam jumped a bit, hanging onto the top portion of the elevator.
Bella grasped his pant leg, and Sam looked down, raising a brow. "Be careful," She warned. He nodded and hoisted himself up. She grasped onto the railing as the elevator shook. She held her breath, waiting as it passed. Dan's legs were suddenly dangled down and she went to his aid, helping him down. She grabbed onto him as the elevator shook once more. "Okay up there?!" She called. "Fine, nobody move!" Sam called back, and Bella froze as Sam banged on the doors above. "Please, please," She mumbled. Bella could suddenly hear an array of voices, deep ones, yells, and shocks of surprise. "Holy hell! What the hell are you doing down there?!"
Dan turned towards her, his eyes wide, a smile on his face. "Finally," Bella smiled, nodding in agreement. "Dan, give me your hand," Sam reached down a hand, and Dan took it, disappearing from Bella's sight. "How many more of you are down there?" One of the firemen asked, looking to Sam as he helped Dan. "Just one," Sam answered, making sure Dan was in safe hands before going back down for Bella.
He paused as the elevator became unsteady. He poked his head in, seeing Bella waiting for him, biting her nail to the skin. "Hey, come on, we've got help," Reaching his hand in, Bella grasped his hand tightly, sighing in relief as he lifted her out, boosting her up.
A firefighter grasped her shirt, pulling her out. She was immediately pulled to the side as they helped Sam out. Clapping rang out and praise was given. "So, how in the hell did you three end up down there?" Sam and Bella looked to Dan who looked to the floor.
"Accident's happen?" Bella murmured, ignoring the quizzical look of the firemen and EMTs. "Just a….very interesting day," Sam replied, looping an arm around Bella's shoulder. "Are we free to go?" Sam asked. The EMTs looked them over and gave the all-clear.
Forgetting the interview, and ready to put the day behind them, Bella and Sam headed for the stairs. "Hey, hey, hey! Guys wait," They turned around, glancing at Dan who sped towards them, dripping wet. "Slow down there," Sam warned, backing up a little to give Dan some room.
"So uh, considering we almost had a near-death experience, anyone hungry?" Bella glanced at Sam, then at Dan. "As long as you go down the stairs first," She let him pass, snorting as he almost slipped down the last step. "Am I really this bad?" She whispered.
Sam just laughed. "No, but you're almost perfect for each other," Bella rolled her eyes, taking the steps one by one. "Never in a million years,"
AN: So something a bit different this time. Would you like to see Dan again? Maybe another wolf and Bella get locked or trapped somewhere? Till next time!
