literature

Monstrous Anxiety

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SarcasticCupcake5's avatar
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Literature Text

They are going to eat me alive.

I wrung my sweaty hands as I stared at the building in front of me. The two large glass doors that loomed ahead might as well have been the gates to Hell, for as much as I didn't want to pass through them. I knew if I didn't head in soon, I'd be late for my meeting. A woman in an expensive business suit walked into the building. I took a deep breath, then picked up my brief case, and climbed out of my car.

You can do this, you can do this, you can... I recited my confidence mantra over and over, while I took my time across the parking lot. 

For the hundredth time, I looked up at the seemingly never ending grey skyscraper. In all my visits I has never been able to see where the building ended. Somewhere around the 80th floor the clouds swallowed the rest. Something inside me imagined  the top floor was adorned with gargoryles and barbed wire like a gothic prison.

The closer to the doors I got, the more I noticed everything. My hair had frizzed up, my cheeks burned, and I could feel the end of my pants against my skin, three inches too high.

I switched the hand that held my briefcase, then switched it back. Both palms were equally sweaty. You can do this, you can do this, you can... I straightened my jacket, and forced myself to push the door open.

My heart dropped to my feet the moment I stepped into the foyer. So many eyes watching me. I swallowed and gave a weak nod to the security guard, who gave an overly wide smile in return. I shuddered and quickened my pace. The echo from my heels seemed unusually loud. The clicking drew the attention of every person in the room, most of which gave me annoyed glares.

Sweat rolled down my neck. I jammed my finger against the elevator button frantically. I stared back at the pair of wide eyes on the metal doors. God I look even more nervous than I feel.

It took every ounce of strength I had to step into the full elevator. I squished my way into the crowd and stood awkwardly amongst the group of strangers. Several sets of eyes stared at me, always the odd one out it seemed. You can do this, ask for floor thirty-seven, you can do this, ask for... My throat tightened and the words stuck to my mouth like peanut butter. I couldn't do more than open my mouth as the elevator climbed to, then passed, the thirty-seventh floor. 

The entire ride, I could feel the others' eyes trained on me, as the smelled my fear. Other passengers bumped into me at each stop, a few stepping off and a few hopping on. Eventually we made a stop at my floor, three minutes past my meeting time. I made a mad dash for the glass room at the end of the long hall. Time seemed to stretch forever, the hallway getting farther and farther away. The potted plants and office doors were all a blur as I ran. When I made it to 75A, I was shaking violently, on the verge of sobbing or throwing up.

Those in the room could see me through the clear walls. "In Annica. You are late." A dozen figures sat around the circular table. Each one had a steaming up in front of them and an angry glare plastered on their face. It was the one in the back that called me in, beckoning with his pudgy finger.

My head bobbed furiously as I nudged the door open. "S-Sorry sir. T-the ele-elevator..." My eyes started to burn. Not now Annica.

"Silence Annica. You had a book pitch for us, yes? Read it." They all narrowed their eyes, waiting to witness my failure. 

A wave of nausea flooded my senses. I was sure if I spoke, I'd spill coffee and bagels all over the expensive tiles. "Uh..." After a few attemps, I successfully unlatched my briefcase and took out my first draft. I took a deep breath and started my mantra. You can do this, you can...

A large hand slammed on the conference table, interrupting my train of thought. "Annica, quit wasting our time." The other board members nodded in agreement, mumbling aloud their disappointments.

"My... m-my b-book... I-Its ab-about a-aaa..." To my utter devastation, I started crying. 

"Annica..." The chairman shook his head. "Again with the tears. Why must you be so... fragile?"

The rest of the board members chimed in.

"Stupid girl. Can't even present her own creations to us with confidence."

"Annica should be a school teacher, she would fit in nicely with the kindergarteners."

"Hmph, pathetic."

"I am not a failure. This book... I've had dozens of people go over my work... Just listen to it, please." The chairman gestured for me to continue. I sniffled and wiped my eyes. Their words echoed around my head, stabbing my mind like daggers. "It's a... love story..."

"Ha, a love story? Annica, you always write about love. The way you act, I'd be surprised if you'd ever tricked a man into loving you. How can you write about love!?! Stupid girl."

"Well if you'd listen a god damned minute..." I froze. "I-I a-am so s-sorry..."

The board chairman sighed. "Annica, you have failed us again. You cannot even stand your ground. Silly girl, you took back your last shred of hope. And after last time... You were warned."

"No... don't drop me. I-I will work harder on my story. We'll have a b-b-best seller before you know it!" 

"Getting dropped is the last thing you should be worrying about Annica." The board members stood up, licking their lips and sliding out their talons. 

I felt the cold glass of the door beneath the fabric of my pants. "P-please n-no..."

The chairman shook his head again. "Pleading only makes me angrier Annica." They were close enough now for me to see the blood under their nails, and the grime in their yellow teeth. "You with your crying, and your cheap clothes, and your cliché novels, how can you expect anyone to tolerate you, Annica?" I wanted to run away, try to get out of this horrific building, but fear had me glued in place.

I heard hissing from out in the hallway, and I knew the other occupants of this floor could sense blood about to be shed. Tears streamed down my face as the chairman leaned forward. If he had had a nose, it would have been touching mine. "We respectfully deny your application to publish your book with Marshal and Co. Publishing." There was a flash in all four of his beady black eyes as the last of the board members advanced on me. "This is the final application you are allowed to submit. Allow us to show you our gratitude for your time with Marshal and Co. Publishing..." 
I wanted it to seem like Annica had some form of social anxiety or fear of public speaking. (Needless to say it wasn't hard to relate to the character.) Of course she's clearly more nervous that she's in a building of blood thirsty monsters, than she is nervous because she has to pitch her book. We all see what happens to her when they don't like the idea. ;) 

What did you think? Feedback please!

What did you think of the ending?

Were you surprised to find that everyone except Annica was a monster/demon?

Was the story too fast paced, did I jump to the ending too soon?

If you don't fave, can you tell me what you didn't like? It'll be a big help.

Thank you!

Heart  +fav :D (Big Grin) 

© 2015 - 2024 SarcasticCupcake5
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ShinyScribe's avatar
The ending. I could sense that some sort of twist was coming, but I sure didn't expect the twist I got. Of course, I still loved it. You managed to portray just how terrifying and overwhelming anxiety is while mixing in elements of horror that had me on the edge of my seat on the end. :o