As the sun set in the horizon, the few thin strips of clouds on the horizon turned shimmering gold. It was glorious, all rosy and salmon-pink.

As I stepped into the newly renovated elevator, I had a vague feeling that something bad would happen. As the lift door closed, I wondered if I should had just taken the stairs instead.

All of a sudden, there was a violent jerk and the elevator shuddered to a halt. The lights flickered and went out. Pandemonium broke out.

” Oh great! I am hungry, sweaty and trapped in a lift right now!” I thought sarcastically. Mrs Lim and her child were also in the lift with me. They were also very frantic. To make matters worse, Jenny was claustrophobic and the darkness did not help a single bit. She started wailing loudly. Mrs Lim had tried to comfort and allay her fears but to no avail. The atmosphere in the lift became increasingly suffocating as the ventilation fan had stopped whirring. I felt that my lungs were about to burst. Frightening thoughts raced through my mind. What if I was trapped in the lift forever?

I shivered nervously as I felt the goose bumps rising on my skin. I ran my fingers down the lift buttons as I felt my way around in the pitch darkness. As my eyes got adjusted to the darkness, I noticed an emergency button. I jabbed that button frantically.

” Rrrrrrrnnnnng! ” a loud and shrill alarm could be heard.

” Hurry please, I am about to suffocate! ” I muttered under my breath. I squatted down in a corner of the lift and did my best to conserve the oxygen left in the lift.

Suddenly, I heard a faint clinging and clanging sound of metal.

” Ah! That must be the elevator mechanic! ” I sighed, relieved.

” Calm down! It will be alright.” The mechanic assured us through a tiny crack in a door.

After what seemed like eternity, the mechanic managed to pry open the door. I was the first one to rush out and get some fresh air. I thanked the mechanic repeatedly. It was a frightful experience and I never wanted to relieve it again.