Fears can escalate in all kinds of ways as shown by William Sleator in his short story The Elavater.In the story William sleater creates suspense by martin’s fear of the elavater and it escalates when he encounters a mysterious obese woman in an elavater. In the story it seems that martin is bullied at school and it makes him uncomfortable around people. Martin a twelve year old boy is scared by the elevator since the first day he lived in the apartment. (pg.31) martin being thin makes him an easy target for bullies. William makes tensions rise when he introduces the next character. She stood with her back against the door wheezing staring directly at martin.(pg.32) Martin's reaction confirms this.His eyes slipped back to hers,