October

Issue 49

Esmeret peered down the dark escalator. The tooth-edged steps vanished into the shadows of the Metro far below, like the entrance to Sheol. In a patch of yellowish light at the bottom a guard stood watching, like a sentinel.

Esmeret hugged her heavy vase, wrapped in its towel and shopping bag. The towel slipped a bit, showing a finger mark on the glossy side, and Esmeret carefully rubbed it clean with a corner of the towel, then wrapped it close again. So precious, and it was such a long way to walk down carrying it. Her back hurt tonight, too, from her long day's work. She hesitated.

"Drat." Behind her, a man spoke in mild annoyance.

A woman replied, agreeing. "The world would fall apart if they ever had all three escalators running at once?"

"Your knees up to it?"

"No. We'll have to walk around and try the other entrance."  

"Wait, look. We'll use the elevator. It's right over there."

"Okay, I guess. I hate those things."

Esmeret had already gone to the elevator, in its tall black house next to the escalator, and pushed the button. She didn't like elevators either, they gave her a crowded feeling. But tonight the dark, still stairs had frightened her, and she wanted to keep her cherished parcel safe.  

The couple came over and waited behind her.