The Elevator

Ruby Jade’s steps echoed through the hallway, the chatter of the lunch crowd fading behind her. She moved with purpose, her sharp green eyes locked on the slightly open door at the end of the corridor. Her blonde hair swayed as she turned her head to glance back at her friends.

“Hurry up!” she called.

Noah groaned but jogged to catch up, his sneakers squeaking on the polished floor. “Ruby Jade, this better be good. I skipped chicken nuggets for this.”

Mia, already on Ruby Jade’s heels, rolled her eyes. “You’re always skipping chicken nuggets. That’s not an excuse.”

“It’s not just any door,” Ruby Jade said, ignoring them both. “This one’s always locked. Don’t you think it’s weird that it’s open now?”

“Yeah, and it’s weird that we’re walking toward it instead of away,” Noah muttered, though he didn’t stop following.

The door led to an old maintenance room, or at least that’s what they’d always assumed. Most kids didn’t even notice it, and teachers only mentioned it when warning them to stay away. But now, for the first time in anyone’s memory, the door was cracked open.

Ruby Jade nudged it with her fingertips. It creaked loudly, the sound cutting through the silence of the hallway.

“Hello?” Mia called hesitantly.

Ruby Jade shot her a look. “We’re not breaking into someone’s house. It’s fine.”

The room was darker than expected, lit only by the faint glow of a single bulb hanging from the ceiling. Dust floated lazily in the air, disturbed by their footsteps. The walls were lined with rusted tools, ancient machinery, and forgotten cleaning supplies.

And then there was the elevator.

It stood in the corner, completely out of place in the cluttered room. Sleek and metallic, its surface gleamed as if it had been polished just moments ago. The buttons on its panel glowed faintly, each labeled with something strange: Past, Future, Nowhere, and a blank button at the bottom.

Mia let out a low whistle. “Okay, I’ll admit, this is cool. But why is there an elevator in here? The school doesn’t even have a second floor.”

Noah stepped closer, his curiosity winning out over his caution. “It looks brand new. How does something this fancy end up in a room like this?”

Ruby Jade grinned, the thrill of discovery lighting up her face. “Maybe it’s not supposed to be here. Maybe it’s... special.”

“Special how?” Mia asked.

“Only one way to find out,” Ruby Jade said, reaching for the panel.

Noah grabbed her wrist. “Wait! This could be dangerous. What if it’s broken? Or worse, what if it’s, like, cursed?”

“Cursed?” Mia laughed. “Seriously, Noah?”

Ruby Jade gently pulled her hand free. “Relax. We’ll just take a peek. If it’s nothing, we’ll leave.”

She pressed the button labeled Nowhere.

The elevator doors slid open without a sound, revealing an interior that looked even more futuristic than the outside. The walls were smooth and metallic, with a faint bluish glow. There were no mirrors, no advertisements, just a small screen displaying a pulsing white light.

Mia hesitated for only a second before stepping in. “This is awesome. Come on!”

Ruby Jade followed her excitement overriding any lingering doubts. Noah shuffled in last, muttering something about bad decisions.

The moment they were all inside, the doors closed. The elevator shuddered, and a low hum filled the air.

“Okay,” Noah said, gripping the railing. “Not liking this anymore. Can we go back?”

Ruby Jade looked at the control panel. The buttons were glowing brighter now, the blank one flickering ominously. Before she could press anything, the elevator lurched forward—not up or down, but sideways.

“What is happening?!” Mia shouted, clutching the railing beside her.

The walls around them blurred, streaks of light rushing past as if they were traveling through a tunnel. The hum grew louder, vibrating through the floor and into their bones.

Then, just as suddenly as it had started, the elevator stopped.

The doors slid open, and Ruby Jade’s breath caught in her throat.

The hallway beyond was nothing like their school. The walls were covered in ornate wallpaper with gold trim, and the floor was polished wood instead of tile. The air smelled of lavender and tobacco smoke, mixed with the faint scent of something sweet—maybe perfume.

Men in sharp suits and fedoras strolled by, their voices low and serious. Women in flapper dresses laughed as they walked, their heels clicking against the floor. A jazz tune drifted from somewhere nearby, soft but lively.

“What... is this?” Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ruby Jade stepped out cautiously, her shoes making almost no sound on the wooden floor. “This isn’t the school anymore,” she said. “It’s...”

Noah pointed to a poster on the wall. The paper was yellowed with age, but the text was clear: Prohibition Rally Tonight – November 7, 1923.

“We’re in the 1920s,” Noah said, his voice shaking.

Mia grabbed Ruby Jade’s arm, her panic rising. “How are we supposed to get back?”

Ruby Jade turned back to the elevator, relieved to see it still there, its doors open and waiting.

“It’s not gone,” she said, her confidence returning. “The elevator’s staying. We can go back when we’re ready.”

Noah frowned. “But what if someone else finds it?”

Ruby Jade ran her fingers along the elevator’s smooth surface. “They won’t. This thing... it’s ours. It’s like it knows we’re the ones who found it.”

A sharp laugh from down the hall made them all turn. A group of students—at least, they looked like students—were staring at them with narrowed eyes.

“We don’t belong here,” Noah said, glancing nervously at the others.

Ruby Jade squared her shoulders. “Maybe not. But if this thing brought us here, there’s a reason. And I want to find out what it is.”