Jason Brooks

He hesitated for a brief moment, the hairs on the back of his neck rising.

A cheerful ding interrupted his thoughts as the elevator arrived down the hall.

Jason slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked over to it.

There was a man inside.

He was clean-cut and handsome, wearing an expensive suit and coat.

There was nothing outwardly alarming about him, yet every fiber in Jason's being told him to stay away.

Rather than exiting, the man held the door and gestured for Jason to join him inside.

No thanks.

I'll take the next one.

The man smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

Nonsense.

There's plenty of room.

No, really, you go ahead.

He couldn't explain it, but somehow Jason knew that if he entered the elevator just then, he would never leave it.

The man remained where he was, still wearing that cold smile, but he made no move to cross into the lobby.

Something told Jason he was safe where he was, so he stayed put even as the minutes passed awkwardly by.

The man finally asked.

Positive.

The man frowned as the doors closed.

Jason let out a sigh of relief and headed down the hall to find the stairs.