dream： darkness； and in it； a sudden mechanical jumble of noises — clicks and
clanks； hummings； rattlings； snaps and whooshes。
Then Wendy sat up beside him and he knew it was no dream。
〃What's that？〃 Her hand； cold marble； gripped his wrist。 He restrained an urge
to shake it off — how in the hell was he supposed to know what it was？ The
illuminated clock on his nightstand said it was five minutes to twelve。
The humming sound again。 Loud and steady； varying the slightest bit。 Followed
by a clank as the humming ceased。 A rattling bang。 A thump。 Then the humming
resumed。
It was the elevator。
Danny was sitting up。 〃Daddy？ Daddy？〃 His voice was sleepy and scared。
〃Right here； doc；〃 Jack said。 〃e on over and jump in。 Your mom's awake；
too。〃
The bedclothes rustled as Danny got on the bed between them。 〃It's the
elevator；〃 he whispered。
〃That's right；〃 Jack said。 〃Just the elevator。〃
〃What do you mean； just？〃 Wendy demanded。 There was an ice…skim of hysteria on
her voice。 〃It's the middle of the night。 Who's running it？〃
Hummmmmmm。 Click/clank。 Above them now。 The rattle of the gate accordioning
back； the bump of the doors opening and closing。 Then the hum of the motor and
the cables again。
Danny began to whimper。
Jack swung his feet out of bed and onto the floor。 〃It's probably a short。
I'll check。〃
〃Don't you dare go out of this room！〃
〃Don't be stupid；〃 he said； pulling on his robe。 〃It's my job。〃
She was out of bed herself a moment later； pulling Danny with her。
〃We'll go； too。〃
〃Wendy — 〃
〃What's wrong？〃 Danny asked somberly。 〃What's wrong； Daddy？〃
Instead of answer