Me Against the Comments

When I saw the comments, my eyelids twitched. I made up my mind that I wouldn't go to the thirteenth floor, even if I was dying.

Enduring the pain, I half-crawled, half-stumbled to the elevator. I smashed the button like my life depended on it.

"Where do you think you're running to, you wretch?"

Andy's furious roar echoed behind me. I swallowed nervously.

Watching the numbers still climbing, I knew there wasn't enough time. I could only turn and bolt for the stairwell.

I slammed the heavy door shut, twisted it tight, and sprinted downstairs.

As I ran, my mind raced. This entire unit was locked down by Andy. My only chance was escaping through another unit.

That meant I had to shake him off.

My mind had never been clearer. I caught sight of a pile of flattened cardboard boxes stacked beside the stairs, and a plan instantly took shape.

I took a deep breath. This was it!

Before Andy could catch up, I ran back to the elevator and frantically mashed the open button. My eyes were locked on the descending numbers.

Finally, just before Andy reached me, the elevator doors slid open.

I yanked off my jacket and tossed it inside. I reached out and pressed the button for the first floor, then pulled away just as the doors closed.

I quickly checked myself, pulled off my hair tie, and dropped it in front of the elevator. After that, I dove into the pile of discarded cardboard before curling myself up tightly.

Only a few seconds after I hid, urgent footsteps approached. Through the narrow gaps, I could vaguely see a dark silhouette approaching.

I held my breath. My entire body went stiff. I could even hear my heart pounding violently in my chest.

The silhouette seemed to pause in front of the cardboard boxes.

My heart was pounding as I silently prayed.

'Please don't find me.'

Finally, Andy reached the elevator. When he saw the floor it had stopped on, he let out a disdainful chuckle.

He turned around, ran back toward the stairwell, and sprinted past the cardboard pile and charged downstairs.

Only when his footsteps had completely disappeared did my body finally relax.

There was no time to waste.

Dragging my weak, shaking body, I made my way to the corridor connecting the two units, but the door was locked.

Clenching my jaw, I smashed the window and carefully climbed through.

Once inside Unit Two, I raced for the first floor.

But despair hit me again. The main entrance was locked as well. Thick chains hung there as if they were mocking me for being naive.

I clenched my jaw and ran up to the sixth floor. I planned to use my climbing skills to jump down from there.

Just as I reached the sixth floor, an apartment door opened. A young man dressed in flashy clothes stepped out with a bag of trash, about to head downstairs.

He looked like a lifeline.

I grabbed his arm. My voice broke into a sob before I could stop myself.

"Someone's trying to kill me! Please let me hide in your apartment."

The young man jumped in shock. Seeing how battered I looked, he didn't even bother with the trash anymore. He hurried me inside and said cheerfully, "Don't be scared. I'll call the police right now."

He retrieved his phone, but then frowned.

"Why is there no signal?"

Exhausted, I sank onto the couch. "That man brought a signal jammer so I couldn't call for help."

The young man muttered angrily, "That's messed up! Don't worry. I've got an aluminum alloy door. He won't be able to break in. Stay here until morning. I'll go with you to report it to the police."

I forced a grateful smile.

"Thank you. By the way, may I ask where the bathroom is?" I asked.