Trapped

“You’re hired,” the words still rang out in my head. Well, they were never said out loud for it was via an email. Anyway, that’s beside the point, I had just gotten my dream job..my everything.

I updated my status on social media from ‘unemployed’ to ‘employed’. I did a quick surf through my Amazon wishlist- I’d be able to get everything on it in just a month’s work.

“Wow, after I buy this stuff, I’ll move on to bigger and better,” I thought to myself. I’d be joining the upper class soon enough and started pondering if I should start buying expensive fashion brands. “Eh, I’ll figure it out in time.”

I went to bed early, excited for my first day at work. My clothes were picked out already ( it was no difference that it was simply a uniform). I was so lucky to get a high-paying job right out of college. Hard work really does pay off. 

“Welcome Richard,” my new manager said to me in a dreary voice as I entered, “You’ll find everything you need in your office in room 4. Your desk number is 13. You were already in orientation so I won’t talk your head off. Pager me if you have any questions.” With that he walked away..or mopped, he didn’t seem to be eager to get to work. 

I went upstairs and got to work. I wasn’t thrilled, but day one was really about work involving google excel sheets, so it was straightforward. It didn’t matter, though, I’d be getting paid a great amount of money- the only thing I really cared for.

I continued this process for the first week before I worked on more computer-related assignments. From then, it was the same process for the next three years: I came in, greeted everyone, worked on some program for a few hours, lunch break, repeated the same thing, and left for the day. Sometimes, I filled in to take calls or as substitute manager..but only on rare occasions. Simply put, I was moving up in ranks and I enjoyed it.  

I know at this point it’s expected that I eventually come to dread going to work, but that just hasn’t happened...at least not yet. I was able to buy everything on my Amazon cart and I was thrilled when it came in. Afterward, I moved to a better apartment and eventually got a car. I’m a simple person and I am not very extroverted. I know I work an office job, but it fulfills my needs and I’m comfortable with it. I didn’t mean to break the fourth wall, but I wanted to tell you that before I continue the rest of my story. 

“You and I are going on vacation,” Joseph said, dropping a pamphlet to Myrtle beach on my desk. He had become my friend outside of the office, too.

“Joseph, you know we don’t go on vacations,” I replied, planning to get back to work. The job was notorious for its workers opting out of vacations in pursuit of working extra hours.

“Rich, vacation days roll over from year to ear. If my math’s right, you and I have at least one month of paid-off days. C’mon, I’m only asking for one week,” Joseph begged.

“Alright, but only if you talk to Hank first,” I replied.

“Yes!” Joseph replied, “I’ll talk to him later today.”

Sally, overhearing my conversation said, “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Excuse me?” I questioned. However, she had quickly left, and perhaps I had misheard her. 

I didn’t see Joseph for the rest of the week which was odd because not only was he always on time for work, but he had seemed so set on going on vacation. He wouldn’t answer his phone calls and only replied to my messages vaguely. I finally had enough before asking Hank about it.

“Have you see Joseph?” I asked Hank in his office.

“Yeah, he’s uh, sick,” Hank replied.

“Oh,” I half-believed him. “Well, did he talk to you about anything vacation-related beforehand?”

Hank slightly tensed up before saying, “Yeah, uh, something about Myrtle beach.”

“Great, what did-” I started.

“Look, he’ll be back, Richard,” Hank said annoyed.

“I was actually going to ask about the vacation.” I tried.

“You’re a good worker, Richard, but I wouldn’t want to send you to Floor A for disturbing the peace,” Richard stated.

I stood silent. I was only pondering about the vacation. I heard rumors about the workers that got sent to floor a- somethings that can’t be repeated. Only rumors, though. 

“Sorry, I’ll get back to work,” I said.

“Yeah, I’m sorry too, Rich,” Hank began. “Look you’re happy the way you are and bad things happen when you mess with things that can hurt you.”

I turned around without replying. His ominous message had further implications. 

Halfway down the hallway, I turned back to grab the water bottle I left. Before twisting the door open, I vaguely heard Hank say, “Hi Sally. Keep an eye on Richard for me. Ok, thanks, bye.” I stopped dead in my tracks before tip-toeing back down the hall. I had no idea how much this was related to the vacation but I could feel the connection.

For the rest of the day, I kept to myself hoping for the best.

It had been another week without seeing Joseph before I realized something was really up. Of course, that’s other than Sally hounding me everywhere I went, but then again, a lot of other people were too. Asking questions like, ‘now why do you want to go on vacation’ and ‘aren’t you happy the way you are’.

Joseph was still ghosting me, so I went back to Hank, set on at least pinpointing his whereabouts. 

“Hi Hank, I’m just wondering where Joesph is now. It’s been two weeks and he won’t even answer my messages now,” I said as I entered the room. 

“He’s doing great,” Hank smiled, “He just started taking his medication and he’ll be cleared to return tomorrow.”

“That’s awesome, thanks, Hank.” I walked out, glad I’d be able to see my colleague again. 

“Hey, Joe hold the elevator!” I shouted. Joe was finally back!

Rather than hold the elevator, it looked like Joseph pressed the button to close it.

Disappointed I waited until lunch break. However, I didn’t see him again that day or the next. I decided to arrive at work early the next day to greet Joseph at the main entrance. He couldn’t ignore me there.

“Joseph!” I exclaimed.

Staring blankly, Joe didn’t reply and tried to push past me. 

Grabbing his shoulders I said, “Earth to Joe, what’s been happening?”

“You’re a good worker, Richard, but I wouldn’t want you sent to Floor A for disturbing the peace,” Joe replied in a trance-like state.

“Joseph, c’mon, you’re sounding like Hank. Seriously, we have a vacation to talk about!” I’d been thinking about it for the past two weeks and really wanted to go.

“Look you’re happy the way you are and bad things happen when you mess with things that can hurt you,” Joseph replied, seeming to quote Hank again. 

Before I could recover from the eeriness, Hank pushed past me. I saw Sally quickly turning the corner. Had she been watching us the entire time?

Finally having enough, I went to Hank’s office. I was furious and demanded an explanation for the vacation incident.

Before I could barge through his door, though, I heard him and Sally talking. “Is Joe responding well to the medication?”

“Yep, his adverse reactions have seized and what’s left behind is a man who can only eat, sleep, and work,” Sally laughed.

“And Joseph?”

“Look, he and Joe are best friends,” I think he’ll need the medicine as well.

“I trust your judgment. The issue with humans is their curiosity. I try to save them but they can never save themselves.”

Shocked and confused, I looked through the peephole (very blurry since I was on the opposite end). However, I saw enough to see a ragged, blue face in place of what was usually Hanks. I couldn't stop myself before I gasped.

Both stopped conversing and stood there in silence. I didn’t move either. Swiftly, Hank must’ve pulled up the security feed because what I heard next will haunt me for the rest of my life.

“Get him, and leave no trace.”

“As you wish, sir.”

I didn’t know what to do. I just stood there in fear. What could I have done anyway? I say this because they got me easily. Looking back, I would've been caught no matter what. The whole place was bugged with them. I don't know what they're called or who they are, but they sedated me the same way they did Joseph. However, the medicine never kicked in for me- I just pretended it did. Whatever they are, one thing is certain- their intentions aren't pure. Floor A is terrifying. No one talks and often, people there mysteriously disappear. The place also reeks of showerless individuals. Oh, and no one actually leaves. We exit through the back door in the morning and circumnavigate the perimeter so the onlooker would perceive us as just entering. This is my life, though. I recently got ahold of this computer so excuse the two-month absence. My name is Richard Jackson and I'm typing this on September third, 2021. I work for Macky and Marky studio. If anyone is out there please help me.

Richard would disappear shortly after smuggling in the computer and publishing his experience on every social media and web platform he could find. Upon investigation, the company was never found nor documented to have ever existed. Some even speculate it to be a hoax. Nonetheless, the case is pending.