The locked door

"Shit." Aiden tried the knob on the door again, to no avail. "Shit, no. Why is this happening?" He pounded on the door, knowing that no one was inside, but hoping desperately that someone was. "God dammit, why am I such an idiot?" He patted himself down, hoping that he had just put his keys in the wrong pocket.

He hadn't.

Frustrated, Aiden kicked the door, but all that served to do was make his toes hurt. He bit back a yell of pain as he jumped back away from the door, gingerly trying to keep off of his now bad foot. "Of all the stupid, no good, rotten things to do..." He rubbed his face, trying to clear his mind so he could think. How could he get back into his room?

The window. He remembered that he had left the window to his room open so he could get some fresh air. Quickly, he rushed down the stairs and out and around the corner to look up at the window to his second story room. Even if he had the upper body strength to climb up that high and hold himself up long enough to climb through, there were no foot or hand holds.

Dejected, he made his way back up the stairs, and realized as he made it to the top that now not only was he locked out of his room, but the apartment itself. The apartment door locked automatically upon closing. Aiden felt like he was going to blow a gasket. It was late at night, all he had was a jacket, and there was no one he could contact to help him out now.

As he turned away to see if he could find someone, anyone to help, he say a notice that his eyes had glossed over nearly every day, but that he had never really paid attention to. In Case of Emergency, call... "Thank god," he mumbled to himself, "my saving grace." He pulled out his phone, noting angirly that the battery was low, and dialed the number.

One ring... Two rings... Three rings... And thankfully someone picked up. He quickly explained that he had locked himself out of his apartment. "I'm sorry, sir," came the operator's voice. "Locking yourself out of your apartment doesn't constitute an emergency according to our policy. You'll have to take that up with maintenance." Before Aiden could argue back, the operator hung up.

"You've gotta be kidding me." Aiden sighed, but at least he knew where the maintenance room was. He made his way there as fast as he could, but he was starting to get cold. He didn't want to be outside any longer than he had to. As he came to the door, he raised his hand to knock, but stopped as he saw the note written and left there.

Maintenance will not be back in until after the holidays. If assistance is needed, please dial emergency number. Merry Christmas.

"You have got to be kidding me."