Melissa was always on time. Even in the pouring rain, struggling with her flimsy umbrella, she flew into the crowded elevator, scattering apologies. The meeting she was chairing was due to start in three minutes.

The elevator started, screeched, stopped, the building trembled, and then the time was no more.

Nelly Shulman’s prose was published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies and she has authored four collections of short stories. She is a member of The Society of Authors (UK).