The Warehouse

"I'll do it." My own words had just sealed my fate. Thomas Brackston grinned slowly, his lips pulling back to reveal his yellow teeth. The six other teens behind him resorted to low whispers and stares. In all my life of being known unofficially as "The dare girl" I'd never accepted a challenge that sent shivers down my spine like this one. I shuddered a little, my dreary surroundings definitely contributing to my mood. The sky was gray. The clouds hung low, icy drops dripped down and slithered down my back. I hated the way the rotting boards of the deserted dock we stood on creaked ominously in the wind. Bent and gnarled trees swayed in the distance, but that wasn't what held my attention. Looming into my vision were tall weathered walls streaked with brown, gray, and something reddish colored I was trying hard not to think about. The Warehouse. Everyone knew of it. Black spaces filled with the jagged shards of broken glass stared at me like eyes haunted with horrors too terrible to recall. Rumor had it two runaway teenagers, brother and sister, had been found here. Or at least what was left of their mangled, bloody bodies laying inside on the darkened floor. The abandoned site lay only about a mile out of town near the edge of Wakatow lake, but nobody ever came here. It wasn't as if the area was forbidden after the police investigation, but it was general knowledge that nobody smart came here. Only shady things, unexplained things, went on in the warehouse. I ran my hand through my short brown hair, cut so that it fell in stylish layers. I had my hair obsessed mom to thank for that. I would have rather buzzed it all off. With my baggy clothes, many piercings, black nail polish, and dark eye-liner I was definitely not the girly girl my mom had been hoping for. Right now everything about me felt damp and ice cold. Thomas shook his long, greasy blond hair out of his eyes. "Well, we're all waiting," he challenged glaring at me. He had brought the audience along to convince me. I had never turned down a dare and everyone knew it. Just like everyone would brand me a loser if word started getting around that I had chickened out here. I glared back at him. About the only thing I had on my side was stubbornness. Everyone who met me told me I was too stubborn for my own good, but I wasn't about to let my hard won reputation go down in flames. Thunder rumbled menacingly in the distance. The shaggy haired teens shuffled impatiently, their murmurs reaching my ears. "She ain't gonna do it, I mean look at that place!" "But if anyone would do it Della would be the one..." "She's scared, she won't," a voice snickered. "I accepted your stupid dare and I'm not backing down," I snarled in Thomas' face. He flinched and tripped backwards a step. Somewhere a mournful dog howled, the sound rattling me more than I let on. "What's so hard about walking into a dumb building standing there for five minutes and walking back out? I can't believe you even thought this would be a big deal!" I laughed carelessly over my shoulder as I stalked forward off the dock and towards the building. The rain fell harder turning the dirt below my feet to slippery sludge. I let anger take over my senses, anger at everything that had happened to me throughout my seventeen years. Anger at myself for...a lot of things I regretted. My emotions seemed to blur everything, dulling anything else I felt. I neared the crumbling walls forcing myself to look around. Broken crates and trash were scattered about. I could see used cigarettes smashed into the stony ground. Surprisingly, this slowed my speeding heart a little. People had been here, they had survived and so would I. Hey, at least I would get out of this miserable rain for a while. I moved around to the side of the warehouse where a warped door hung crazily on it's hinges. It wavered in the wind, creaking slowly back and forth. I rolled my eyes as I stepped toward the side entrance. There's literally no reason to be scared I assured myself. I glanced back to the direction where Thomas and the kids stood. Through the haze of rain I could barely make out their blurry figures. Time to get this over with. I strode through the doorway my heart pounding. Pitch blackness was all that met my eyes. I felt panic threatening to strangle me, but the logic part of my brain strove to tell me there was absolutely no reason to be afraid. My eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lighting as I sucked in a deep breathe. Immediately I coughed, the sound sounding like a thunderclap in the echoey space. As I clamped my hand over my mouth I struggled to breathe. The smell was not overpowering, but it still was taking some time to become used to. The fume was hard to describe. It smelled like my mom's compost pile on a hot day mixed with some sort of sweet odor that threatened to make me gag. I could feel the rock hard cement under my shoes as I slipped slowly forward. Streams of ghostly gray light filtered their way through the broken windows high above. Far from making me feel better it only created eerie shadows on the walls, jagged and broken up like the glass they were formed from. I grabbed my phone from my pocket realizing I'd forgotten to set the timer. I estimated I'd been inside for about a minute so I quickly set the time to four minutes. Four minutes and then I could leave this creepy place. The steady, rhythmic sound of rain sounded noisily on the roof. As I glanced once more around the huge, dim area I took note of all the boxes and crates piled around. Spiderwebs and dust covered pretty much everything. It was pretty clear to me nobody had been inside the warehouse in a long time. I gagged a little as I caught another whiff of that awful smell. I checked the glowing screen of my phone, one minute to go. I frowned rubbing my forehead, an animal had definitely died somewhere in here. As much as I had dreaded my dare, this wasn't so bad after all. I smiled to myself as I thought about what everyone's reaction would be when I came out unharmed and alive. I was basically guaranteed a god level like status when I went back to school tomorrow. The blare of my phone alarm rang out shattering my train of thought. My hands trembled slightly as I juggled my device, my fingers fumbling to turn off the noise. I sighed with relief when the blaring ceased. Time to head out. I fast walked towards the exit, trying to ignore the wailing of the wind which had definitely picked up. A loud rumble turned to a crash and streaking light licked it's way across the sky visible through the doorway. Suddenly, the door, which I could see was jerking wildly in the powerful gusts, swung forward slamming hard into the crumbling door-frame! I shot towards the blocked entrance and tried to shove the door back out. My heart was thudding so hard I could barely breathe. Every hair on the back of my neck was standing straight up. Cold fingers slid their way up and down my back-bone. The years of exposure and weather had warped the door beyond recognition and I was pretty sure the frame had some wear and tear too. I pushed hard, every muscle straining as cold sweat dripped down my skin. My hands felt clammy as I tried to wipe them on my dark skinny jeans. It was no use, my only exit was completely blocked. The only other way in and out was the massive garage door on the front of the warehouse. It used to operate electrically, lifting up just like a giant version of the one at my house, but there was no way that worked anymore. I slumped to the floor and put my head between my knees taking in slow, deep breaths. Hopefully, one of the guys would have enough sense to tell my mom or someone where I was. I already knew they would all be way too terrified to come find me on their own. Abruptly, I jumped up off the ground! "You are a total idiot Della Mayfield," I yelled at myself, "You have a phone stupid!" Relief flooded my veins as I quickly clicked my mom's contact. I typed out a hurried message to my mom letting her know my predicament. I think she was probably used to this by now. I'd gotten myself into some pretty bizarre situations in the past. As I clicked send my eyes almost didn't register the small red letters that appeared below the text bubble. "Failed to send message." Immediately, I pressed the call button. I stared at the two small words that appeared on the screen. "Call Failed." I began to shiver, the damp sinking into my clothes and skin. I would just have to wait and hope somebody came. I could feel my eyes watering, but I wouldn't let the tears escape. A thunderclap sounded, louder than the others, startling me. I gave the door another couple of shoves, but it wouldn't budge. I was alone and I couldn't escape. My brain was panicking as I walked further into the murky space of the massive building. I looked for something, anything I could use to break through the door. Again the sickening stench filled my nostrils as I wrinkled my nose. Barely loud enough for me to hear a low, whispery moan reached my ears. I stood stock still. I felt as if my blood had stopped flowing, my breaths came in short gasps. "This is real life, you don't have to worry. It's probably just the wind," I thought to myself. But this felt different, I knew the sound didn't come from the wind. My eyes darted around, I was still frozen like a statue. The groan came again from the far left corner of the warehouse. Boxes and crates were stacked halfway up the wall and dark shadows filled every nook and cranny. I could feel every hair on my body standing straight up. Part of me wanted to race to the jammed door and pound on until my fists were bleeding and raw. The other part of me realized I was going to be here for a while, I might as well figure out what the sound was coming from. The suspense and terror would probably kill me first anyway if I just curled up by the door paralyzed by the mysterious moans. I rallied and took one small step towards the source. I heard one more noise, quieter than the rest and barely a whisper. I shook myself. "Come on Della," I said aloud and strode forward. I don't know where the bravery came from, but somehow I found myself standing in front of the pile of wood, cardboard, and trash. I walked around the side, trying to see anything I could in the blurry, dim lighting. Then I spotted it. I stumbled backwards my brain screaming at me to run as far as I could! I swallowed the bile in the back of my throat trying to keep my dread at bay. There was a sneakered pair of feet barely visible beneath the crates. My voice was shaky as I spoke barely above a whisper, "Are...are you okay?" "Do I look like I'm okay?" I jumped at the rough voice that floated from person trapped. His voice was scratchy, probably from lack of water and the words sounded more like a groan than anything. "I'm going to try and move the crates off you," I stated, my voice sounding less shaky now that I had discerned there was no creepy zombie waiting to grab me in the darkness. I pulled one crate off the pile somewhat easily, the rough peeling wood catching on my skin. Three more boxes off the pile. I could feel multiple splinters digging into the palms of my hands. I could see the man's crumpled body now, and the reason he couldn't stand up or claw his way out. A crate larger than the rest was pinning his leg down. I grunted as I attempted to pull it off. There was something very heavy inside no doubt. I took a break, pushing my layered bangs out of my face. "Do you think...can you get it off?" The man moaned, his voice weak. Determined, I pushed the wooden box as hard as I could and slowly it tipped, rolling and slamming hard onto the cement beside it's victim. The man couldn't muffle his cry of pain. As I knelt down beside him I gently attempted to roll him to his back. I succeeded after another near sob reached my ears. "I'm sorry," I mumbled as I worriedly wondered what I would do now. Then I caught my first real glimpse of him. My eyes widened. He wore a dark black hoodie, sweatpants, and gray sneakers, but it was his face that struck me. Pale blond hair almost white, a dark tan, and startling clear blue eyes. Even in the dim lighting I could tell he was about my age. "You're not old at all," was the first thing that came out of my mouth. He almost grinned, but it turned out to be more of a wince. "Well last time I checked I wasn't a grandpa yet." Then his eyes took on a haunted look as if he had just remembered something. I glanced toward the warehouse window, I could tell any light we had was fading fast. "I don't have any water or food, but, is there anything I can do?" I asked the guy feeling pretty useless. His leg was broken for sure. "Just help me sit up please, I've been laying here for two days." I pulled him upwards, leaning him against the crates behind. His eyes darted around and I could tell his skin looked paler than normal. "Is there any way we can get out of here? If there was I figure you wouldn't be helping me but..." his voice trailed off. "The door is completely stuck, you can thank the wind for that. Anyway, some one will come eventually. I was here on a dare and hopefully one of those stupid kids will tell someone where I'm at. By the way what's your name? I'm Della." I held my breath a little trying to ignore that nasty smell that wasn't going away. "I'm Liam." He didn't elaborate even as I waited. He fidgeted looking even more uneasy. "Is something wrong besides, you know, everything?" I asked. His nervousness was putting me on edge. Did he know something I didn't? Before Liam could answer a sound besides rain and thunder penetrated the icy stillness of the warehouse. My heart leapt as I recognized it. Police Sirens! Thomas and his crew must have alerted the authorities! I jumped up sending a quick prayer of thanks to heaven as the wailing cars grew closer. I heard the emergency vehicles pulling up near the outside. I raced to the door calling, "I'm in here! The door is stuck! Help me please!" I pounded on the metal of the non-operable exit hoping it would be loud enough for them to hear me. "We're going to break down the side exit door so stay clear!" a loud voice boomed from the other side. I laughed true relief flooding through me. I headed back to where Liam was sitting. "The police are here, they'll get us out of here," I smiled jubilantly. I expected a happy reaction. Instead Liam looked like he was about to throw up. His skin was still ghostly white despite his tan. Small beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. "Is it your leg?" I asked concerned. "What is wrong with you?" Liam shook his head, his fear so palpable I could almost taste it. I shuddered not understanding. "Don't look up," Liams voice was so quite I almost didn't hear it. A bare whisper that turned me to stone. I could hear the thudding of whatever tool the police were using to break down the door. My ears seemed as if they were filled with water, dulling the shouts and sounds. Liam's muffled voice yelling,"Don't!" reached my ears as my eyes moved on their own without my consent. The rain had lightened up, and at that moment a ray of light broke through the clouds slicing through the dimness of the warehouse. My eyes were fastened to the rafters high above us. At first I couldn't discern what I was seeing. Then I realized what it was. I heard a scream of pure horror ripping from my throat. My whole world tilted, my vision became foggy as I sank to my knees. It was swinging like a pendulum, a shadowy shape. The shape of a man, a body. The rope was swinging, swinging and the sickly rotting stench filled my senses. I reeled backwards as I vaguely heard the door bust inwards,voices shouting. Then everything went dark. I descended into a swirling mass of terror filled dreams. My last conscious thought filled my brain, maybe I was too stubborn for my own good.