This short story is about a girl who has a fear of elevators. One day she decides to face her fear and ends up getting stuck with a stranger. 

2. Creaky Old Elevator
Have you ever watched a horror movie and felt chills throughout your body? That’s the feeling I get every time I step on the elevator in my apartment building. I live in a very old apartment building in Manhattan. The lobby smells weird, our landlord is a grump, and the elevator creeks everytime it moves. I always take the stairs up to my apartment on the fifth floor. It sounds ridiculous but whenever I get onto the elevator I get a sense of anxiety.
Today it was thunderstorming and I had an exhausting day at work. When I stepped foot in my building I decided I was too lazy to take the stairs so I would face my fears and ride the elevator. Once I got on and the doors closed I immediately regret my decision. I should have just taken the stairs.
“What floor?” the stranger on the elevator said. I snapped out of my toxic thoughts to respond to him. He was a tall man wearing a green trench coat. He must have just come out of the rain because he was soaking wet and holding a black umbrella that had residue of rain on it.
“Five,” I confidently responded.
“Man, it’s raining cats and dogs out there!” He exclaimed. I laughed in response so that he would pick up that I wasn’t interested in making small talk. All of a sudden the lights started to flicker and the elevator came to a complete stop. It was exactly what it was like in the movies. I started to panic because this is what I was afraid of.
In this moment, I knew for a fact that this was the worst decision I had ever made. I was going to die here. I was never going to talk to my parents ever again. I was never going to complete that project at work. 
“They said they’re sending someone. Could be here for a while” the stranger said as he hung up the phone that’s in the elevator.
“What?” I questioned.
“Well, I just called maintenance and they said they are sending someone. Didn’t you
just hear our conversation?” He sounded concerned.
“Sorry, I must have blacked out there for a moment.” I responded.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. They’re going to get someone here soon enough.” He
calmly said. After a moment of silent passed he turned to me.
“Not much of a talker are you?” he laughed. I shook my head. He started to tell me a
story, so I guess our conversation was not over.
“So today, I was on the bus and this pesky teenager reached into my back pocket and snatched my wallet. Good thing I have eyes on the back of my head because I got that pickpocketer. Shoulda seen the look of fear he had in his eyes.” He chucked. Once again I laughed in response. I was having too much anxiety to respond.
“So. What’s your name?” he persisted.
“Jane,” I stuttered.
“William. Pleased to meet you,” he smiled.
“I’m sorry, I hate elevators.” I breathed.
“Well today is not your lucky day now is it? Don’t worry. We’re going to get out of this!” he said.
Just in that moment, the doors were pried open and there a group of firemen stood there. There was just a small enough opening to get out. They told me to to wiggle my way out and jump down.
“Don’t look down!” One of the fireman exclaimed. Too late. I gulped as I saw how far the drop was if I didn’t make it.
“Come on you got this!” William encouraged. I didn’t move.
“We haven’t got all day Jane! My show’s about to start!” joked William. I closed my eyes and started to move slowly. Before I knew it, I was being helped by the fireman and when my feet hit the ground I had never been so relieved in my life. William came out of the elevator swiftly and with no trouble.
“Promise me something, Jane. Never take the elevator again.” He smiled.
“I can assure you I will be taking stairs for the rest of my life.” I sighed.