The Elevator
Some doors were never meant to be opened.
At 2:43 a.m., the silence in the office tower was broken only by the soft hum of the lights and the occasional groan of the ancient elevator. Erica Thorn, an overworked cybersecurity analyst, punched the elevator button with a sigh. She’d stayed too late again. Her fingers still itch from decoding the last anomaly, a strange string of encrypted data that did not belong to any project, and her eyes burned from hours of screen time. As the elevator doors creaked open on the 42nd floor, a tall man in a dark hoodie stood inside, staring at the ground. His face was shadowed because his hood was pulled low. She hesitated. “Going down?”
He gave a slight nod, still not meeting her eyes.
Erica stepped in, pressing the button for the ground floor. The doors closed smoothly. After roaring to life, the elevator abruptly stopped between floors 38 and 37. Under her breath, she bleated. The man didn’t flinch.
She mumbled, trying to keep her voice light, "Elevator stuck." "Have to be the storm." No response.
Erica looked up at him. “You work here?”
He slowly lifted his head. His eyes were icy and unreadable, and his face was pale. “No.”
A chill crept down her spine. She instinctively reached into her coat pocket for her phone—no signal. The emergency button on the panel flickered, but nothing happened when she pressed it.
“You’re Erica Thorn,” the man said suddenly.
She froze. “Do I know you?”
He moved in her direction. “Not yet.”
Erica backed away, bumping into the wall of the elevator. Her mind raced. “What do you want?”
“I’m here because of the anomaly you found.”
Her pulse jumped. “What are you talking about?”
“That string of data? It wasn’t just a glitch. It was a door. And you opened it.”
She yelled, "I didn't open anything." You did, yes. And now it must be closed by someone. He pulled something from his coat—a small device, blinking with a faint red light.
She didn’t recognize it, but it looked dangerous.
She stated, "You are not IT." "Who referred you?" He didn’t answer. Instead, he knelt, pried off the floor panel, and began fiddling with wires beneath.
“Wait!” Erica ran forward quickly. “What are you doing?”
“If I don’t stop it now, they’ll get through.”
“They?”
He looked up. “There’s no time. Either help me, or get out of the way.”
“What is it?”
He gave her his first serious eye contact. “A signal from another system. One that doesn’t belong on this planet.”
Her breath caught. “You’re lying.”
"I wish I was." The elevator groaned again—this time, deeper. A low hum vibrated through the walls, rising in pitch until the lights above them flickered and dimmed. From the speakers came a faint, alien whisper. She was shivering to the bone, but it wasn't a language—just sound. He dropped the device into the shaft, where it began to whine.
Erica kept her ears protected. “What did you just do?”
"Set the frequency back up. That’ll seal the breach—for now.”
The lights returned. The elevator jolted and resumed its descent.
What are you? she asked.
He stood, dusting off his hands. “Let’s just say I monitor doors. And you almost walked through one you shouldn’t have.”
The elevator opened on the ground floor. He stepped out and turned to her.
“Don’t dig into it again, Erica. Or next time, no one comes to fix it.”
And with that, he vanished into the shadows of the lobby.
Erica stood frozen in the elevator, heart pounding. She never even got his name.
But she knew one thing for sure.
The door was still there.
Waiting....
Hey readers don't go please...
Something behind the door is calling you...
Let's meet .....
About the Creator
Suborna Paul
Use creativity to create your own way
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Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE agents were reportedly conducting official duties when gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and immediate emergency response. Federal authorities confirmed the incident and stated that internal protocols were activated, including an automatic review by federal oversight bodies. From the beginning, details were limited. Officials cited the ongoing nature of the investigation and concerns about officer safety. This lack of information, while not unusual in federal cases, quickly became a point of friction for Minnesota state authorities, who argued that the public deserved clarity and that the state had a legal role to play in examining the incident. State Authorities Push for Transparency Minnesota state officials, including investigators and legal representatives, formally requested access to evidence connected to the shooting. This evidence reportedly includes body camera footage, surveillance recordings, forensic reports, and internal communication logs from the operation. According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for the immediate release of non-sensitive evidence, arguing that transparency is a prerequisite for trust. Peaceful demonstrations and public forums have highlighted a broader demand: that no law enforcement agency, federal or otherwise, should be beyond scrutiny. Local officials echoed these concerns, noting that Minneapolis has spent years attempting to rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement. The perception that evidence is being withheld threatens to undermine that progress. Legal Implications of Denied Evidence From a legal standpoint, the state’s inability to access evidence raises complex questions. While federal agencies do have authority over their operations, states also have a responsibility to investigate deaths or injuries occurring within their borders. Legal experts suggest that this dispute could set a precedent. If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
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Comments (4)
Informative Writing!!
This is a different, creative-minded person. and well written.
your thinking capacity create interesting story🧐
I love how you blended technology and the supernatural here!