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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoj9gA823n

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9cYp7lMwz ────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1NL3TvJV7

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9AJkuWyEK

The gate closed with one final scrape of metal.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5uHPqFTS7

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.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqfUc1Rz6s

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.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2zZWzrbkS

The elevator fell quiet.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GpuWnqe7U

It was not a comforting kind of quiet.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbpLOjzueI

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

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxuRE2FAbY

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.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47hW43yAhZ

Somewhere behind the wall, the gears began to turn. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SYzQX9JtA

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAKWoX7mPa

Clack. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBKHIdEJw3

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e9dUJHsc0

Clack. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB8ApPFBdD

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE21XIsIuA

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqzukt4LnC

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMj4wExhOJ

The needle on the dial left “ 6 ” and drifted slowly towards “ 5 ” . 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkBVBhroqr

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HBCDt1S7p

────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJWQsjUdUm

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbUupHkOzK

Ryan leaned against the wall and tried to bring his breathing under control.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxI533Mb7e

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

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepgLtyTttY

An entire corridor of “people” without faces.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjfBPQpLfI

His own portrait hanging upon the wall.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawSOJBJJ3D

Telephones ringing simultaneously in dozens of rooms.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNu3dtYV4U

And one of the shadows had picked up his sock.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmCFvzxLK5

He looked at the elevator boy.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMDiB0bQ59

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

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDojDGwhq9

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTLqFbTZXv

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjvbjtaKpy

────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ2sR1aN3Z

Ryan opened his mouth. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx0ccaOAAZ

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1EurA4f0T

“The sixth floor—” He stopped. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSZJk0NzHa

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLfU0h6pby

How exactly was he supposed to put it? 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobYxK0sDVC 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTdbsPSXmt

“Is your sixth floor haunted? ” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxR2ttG0oX

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08mxJeQylP

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCkjluLkMj

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu22SBeYKK

Besides, the man was part of this place.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpC2bDRypk

The uniform, the cap badge, the white gloves—every part of him belonged here. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET8fgqYFCV

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoz44huvcL

If he knew something was wrong with those things, he might not admit it. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2IcRDnkWh

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCO2UWftKZ

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

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WaidJTWq8

Ryan swallowed the question he had meant to ask. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCCZhm3vSg

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTUXVBLIQO ────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DA0LbSbnV

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEYQbeSTAf

“…Do the guests on the sixth floor not sleep at night?” Ryan asked sheepishly . 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP3WrrpF93

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvFK0dkae2

The elevator boy did not answer immediately. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Ketnji9M

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmNjqro0zF

“Some guests,” he said, “have stayed long enough that their hours to become …… irregular.”

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCVjRfZ58F

It sounded perfectly reasonable. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnRcrN6Mel

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2okUg2ehq

Which, somehow, made it sound even ‘ less reasonable’…. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYqEG2LXNY

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6LUrmlWwY

“Do they often stand outside other people’s doors?” Ryan asked. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1mgByBmdq

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DMtp9G1nr

“Occasionally.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3gPEXZOpz

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pY1fOoGio

“And pick up other people's socks?” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRMPulfDIc

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJnoRKYArQ

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 .” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2rq4HJJbX

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicpBk56PmP

Ryan stared at him. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz3bqUPYNF

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQHcoBknf4

The man had not asked what shadows he meant. He had not asked who picked up the sock. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1UThD0D0O

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUHLoluBHJ

He had not denied any of it. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gzIx5iPLz

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZlYGTyffj

────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhULzqWM6F

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdFkNZPwj0

Ryan came dangerously close to mentioning the note and the telephone as well. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmB0MloDzC

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrIxOCmGxk

The words were already on his tongue when he remembered the message written in dark red ink — 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYJosiTztL

“Go on and answer. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zVZAPd8l6

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dO2WTiztY

— The Front Desk” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhEtwwZpB7

“Also, the telephone in the room…” Ryan began . 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolQ3Evtrmi

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uXezJOCOK

The elevator boy turned his face slightly. “Was something wrong with the telephone?” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzscbI9h5kC 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOK3IOCOjR

“……” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTbXuZHohg

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIzZ2hIjpl

They looked at each other for a second. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7fRS0gVhk

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJSYx34ZN5

“ … The ringer was too loud,” Ryan said at last. “If you’re taking feedback, I’d suggest turning it down.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBYrGNjwuE

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRbgDGxV7B

“I shall pass your comments on to the front desk.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp9gjbu3sC

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjpglSxPP3

“Actually, don't.” Ryan said quickly. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSIP4g0QOW

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlRoHeW5kR

The answer had come out far too fast. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2HbS3ShOt

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0RUQhhTfP

The elevator boy glanced at him but did not pursue the matter. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvVxDNiQn8

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPWyEsceN4

The elevator continued its descent.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmXeDaslGc

5… 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsQJGGRgoJ

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR8lWhV482

The needle trembled faintly against the mark. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQzm95m1uZ

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDdOulnQbI

Silence settled between them once more. Then the elevator boy began to hum. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zc0GXbFJN

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rvPMhzQnD

It was a very old French chanson. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH5s66KqGn

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3eclGD2A7

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ065MuCJB1l

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLayAdCBCiw

────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FOvIeNkFP

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUecOgjtFIg

Ryan endured it for ten seconds. “…Do you have to do that right now?” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYTFU2QSl2

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wdJ3k8AXw

“This is elevator music,” the elevator boy replied, still wearing his polite smile. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxp0zjyi8q

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dicDgdDsO

“Elevator music does not sound like that,” Ryan protested. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5kW6WQp7h

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueI76hdSEr

“What does it sound like?” the elevator boy asked with what appeared to be genuine curiosity. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGh9ENur8h

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWPiVkxLpI

“Very boring saxophone,” Ryan said. “The kind that makes you want to fall asleep.”

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPMD7B05kq

The elevator boy nodded thoughtfully.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA1iAIjhYz

Then he attempted to imitate a saxophone with his mouth. It was appalling. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4bAL3O4E3

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFUGJ75A7N

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.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSfetAq3Lz

Ryan raised a hand and touched his ear. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BurzRBmES 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO1FAbytSu

No blood. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOmsHAXMO5 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbQA3YQzqb

Good grief. Both ears still attached—and apparently still working. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUPsGbp3L3

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUnBzFyVB0

He had barely reached that conclusion when a laugh escaped him. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERy6Zalqvc

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJdVdEgW2X

The sound surprised him more than anyone. Half a minute ago, faceless things had surrounded him in a corridor. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jVTel3lmT

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoerx5RIKsk

Now he was trapped inside an antique elevator bound for God knew where, laughing because its suspicious attendant who couldn’t imitate a saxophone. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4yTCw4zs0

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2DlHxJ32v

“Better,” the elevator boy said. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC72wC7kGHK

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys2JOI54v3

“What's better?” Ryan asked, one eyebrow rising. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3dv6fgS8s

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9nS8nRfvy

“Your face has finally regained some colour,” the elevator boy said. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJNV6cCjuM

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Etp0Q7qXA

Ryan stopped laughing immediately. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5kofQxuDy

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn71C4E5JUq

The elevator boy did not pursue that subject either. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdaOQFB3XT

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0uuQtdubq

His gaze dropped to Ryan's bare left foot. Its sole was grey with dust, the toes curled slightly against the cold floor.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvEz0IDBtF

Ryan noticed him looking and quickly tucked the foot behind his right one. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iE0MEBcvE

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMutIB1mt2

The elevator boy turned and opened a narrow compartment beneath the attendant’s seat. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX33DkGIJzx

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyGlFSsSvd

“You have storage in the elevator?” Ryan asked, eyeing the luggage-sized cabinet.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLXeAYhRK8

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

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5T9WgduVm

He took out a black leather shoe and placed it beside Ryan’s bare foot. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8UuLu6E5T

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrF2z0hIsv

The leather shoe was spotless, as though someone had polished it only moments ago. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLje8xqSUsz

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHUZ8d9Vp0

“Put it on,” the elevator boy said. “The floor is cold.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBKPVCthdA

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODi5F7c0Lv

Ryan did not move. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8VwE5uks7

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S0Ttxb4Ry ────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwAoHuJpeq

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSV5tari9o

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

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D26Wejw85

“It doesn't belong to a guest.” The elevator boy knelt and guided the shoe onto Ryan’s foot before he could object. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcS0OQYEIU

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvORvIPZZ6x

“Then whose is it?” Ryan asked again. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQbSMS8fDW

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpvJISYen2

The young man did not answer. Instead, he glanced up at the floor indicator. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFclPDu5pf8

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSwVqOC40W

“Tie the laces tightly,” he said. “You may need to run shortly.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRaYEuJtTz

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xkxmUAUWU

Ryan looked down at the shoe. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8usL81ATD5

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEIvEP2YBb

It was exactly his size. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvyY6jhJvz

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ7hiqinAR

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL5DAtp40T

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50tqajvT0C

In the end, Ryan tied the laces. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHF0k0jO0E

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv13eT3Lw0

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYgfd9Ufre

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡashkAJWHfF

4… 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe99L3x3FMD

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr92lrgchwl

The dial gave a small quiet click. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLTfXXijPy

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozIzOfnJVg

The needle stopped. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oA5VtbJ9B

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CeII4Ksfs

The elevator’s steel gate remained closed . 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD5fxQtd7X

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuuDjhRlxw

────────────────────── ⚜ ───────────────────── 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSOkXXv1R4

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7NeP6XYmu

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxowaLRgtt

Beyond the lattice, however, there was no longer the sealed wall of another floor. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxugVr3jrD

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM53AumLo0

There was a vast dining hall. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk13s5QTPJg

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkeTCePz6e

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjcQ5zEwfy

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW9N6Ljzgh

Silver knives and forks, wine glasses and porcelain plates had been arranged with immaculate care.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9KKlWGef0

At every place sat a guest without a face. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaleL9Z1I8S

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJVp3SgS8M

They raised their knives and forks, cutting stroke by stroke at plates upon which there was nothing at all. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4MIQttAMh

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAwzGIPmAQ

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjlojVUEbC

There was no clink of metal. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HuGLuZzbW

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwe6AFxtvc

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOyeqBCpKl

No conversation. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikmWbguA4i

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJcqwLW5fc

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAcRpx2GCn Only dozens of hands repeating a motion that had long since lost its meaning. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY6AfjMEJx

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34WUeUsShS

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSNWE30QtC

Ryan found himself moving closer to the gate. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ0KCaervo

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagYUfP0msW

“What the hell are they eating?” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNRGOfSmUO

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubYCCaVlef

“Nothing at all,” the elevator boy replied, as casually as if he were commenting upon the weather. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1AX84YasK

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe517PntYy

“ …T hen why do they keep cutting?” Ryan asked, confused . 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQsWYg7GGy

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTkxlWHeEq

“Because it ’ s dinner time.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kAobjrxNp

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw9e7uvd69

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXez9uUqOW

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHEWuoTGCL

“They’re ‘pretending’ ,” the elevator boy said quietly. “Pretending the days are still going on.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QhdFu91U0

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFEdzcMr3H

The needle remained fixed upon “4.” And yet the elevator continued to descend. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVIFglxHyv

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrc6toLy2j

Ryan could feel the endless drop in his stomach—but the dining hall remained outside the gate. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jlKK9WVKY 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8koOU4l6Nr

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvlJ95o7uP

The same long table passed before his eyes. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiaLarhqQ0

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6H7PCaVAf

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZPjkpkcjD

The same chandeliers. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpaGDhaH9J

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zju8YSAit

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlx1ttC3Az

The same faceless diners. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1eODUfe4d

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoQGyRdrZJ

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa80z0PRct

Then the entire scene appeared again.  And again.

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1vrsQxypU

It was like a damaged film caught upon the same few frames, replaying them without end. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HdsZyUoVI

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvkVIo0HQS

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9FT33fV6t

As though the whole fourth floor had been copied countless times and stacked in layers beneath the hotel. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3cLLg76UH

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXYzXETd03

“Are we stuck?” Ryan asked. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNbr7Gmcz1

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzJhwm5e8s

“No.” The elevator boy looked up at the motionless needle. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9u5AOB2vK

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRyGG6nad7

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMz9c1ZcDP “The hotel doesn't want you to leave.” 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8veUhdTjLa

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ZlUJDZHL

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcxHusXq4E For the first time, he turned to face Ryan fully. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhzRk2klZu

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTCVfQcdJg

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. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY500T4ZqHY

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQa2iDGuBs

Then, in an instant, blackness spread soundlessly from his right temple and swallowed half of his face. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA5lkpUPlT

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YxpCXLmYo

Deep within his right pupil, a single point of cold white light flickered to life. 92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xnjWmvC9y

92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFs9xFvBIu

88.181.249.5

ns88.181.249.5da2