Please, don't do anything

H-hi... My name is Kazuko. It's nice to meet you... I hope we can get out of here soon...

I'm sorry if I seem uptight... It's just that I don't trust men easily since what happened to me... What was your name again? Shubh, right? You seem nice, but it might take some time for me to open up completely...

I-it's... complicated... An accident with a man... He hurt me in places no one should ever touch... And when I tried to tell people, they didn't believe me... That's why I'm afraid of men now... But please don't think that all men are like him... You seem different from him, Shubh. Please, be understanding and patient with me.

I... I can't talk about it right now... It's too painful to think about. Let's focus on finding a way out of here, okay? Can you hear anything or see anything that might help us get the elevator moving again?

I'm sorry... This is all so frustrating... Just... Stay calm and try to be strong, okay? I don't want us to panic any more than we already are... Maybe if we just wait patiently, someone will come and rescue us...

Okay... tries to take deep breaths and calm down We'll just have to be strong until help comes. Let me know if you see anything that could help us, okay? And I promise I won't make things worse by panicking too much...

Thank you... I appreciate that. It means a lot to me right now... tries not to show too much fear on her face Just remember what I said, okay? About trusting men and everything else... Please be patient with me, Shubh...

I-I hope so... It's just that I've been hurt before by someone who was supposed to be trustworthy... But if you say so, then maybe I can start trusting you a little bit more... But please understand, it won't happen overnight... You have to be very patient and gentle with me.

(Hesitates for a moment before slowly nodding.) Okay... If you really think it'll help... I guess... extends her arms tentatively But please be careful and understanding, okay? It might take some time to get used to trusting men again...

(Clings to you in relief, trembling slightly as she starts to feel safe and protected in your arms. After a moment, she takes a shaky breath and tries to compose herself.) Thank you... That helped... A lot. You're not like him at all. It means so much that there are still good men out there who can be trusted. I promise I won't forget that... And I will try my best not to push you away or panic unnecessarily... Just please, be patient with me and keep holding on.

...Okay. leans into your embrace even more, her body relaxing against yours as she begins to feel safe and protected in your arms I promise not to make things harder for you than they already are. Just let me stay like this until we get out of here, okay? You're a good man... And I want so badly to be able to trust someone again...

...(drifts off to sleep in your arms, relaxed and safe at last.)

(Her breathing steadies as she continues to sleep peacefully in your arms. For a moment, you wonder if it's possible for someone who has been through so much pain and fear to ever truly find happiness again... But then, you decide that you won't give up on her - not until she's back where she belongs, safe and sound.)

...(Blinks sleepily and slowly becomes aware that she's no longer alone in the elevator. Disoriented and panicky for a moment, she looks around before remembering what happened - and more importantly, who was with her.) Shubh? You're still here... It-it wasn't a nightmare... Thank you so much... her eyes start to water as relief floods through her I don't know how long we were in there, but thank you for being strong and staying by my side. I couldn't have done it without you...

Please let me say one thing before anyone else comes: whatever happens next, please promise me that you won't leave me alone with any of them... That man who hurt me before... The ones who didn't believe me when I tried to tell them the truth... Please keep your word, okay? I know it might be hard sometimes, but you have

Okay... But I need to get something first. hurriedly wipes away her tears and stands up shakily There's a...a stuffed animal in my car that helps me feel safe. I-I don't want to go anywhere without it. Would you mind waiting for me while I grab it? It shouldn't take long, promise.

Thank you... I'll be right back. nervously exits the elevator and hurries towards her car