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We both stepped out of his car and into the subtle hotel lobby. I’d offered to pay, but Martin only shook his head, looking at me as if I’ve grown a second head.
“Stop fussing, Davina.” The elevator doors closed with only us two inside. “You’ll need the money you have once you are on your own.”
I didn’t know how to accept so much from him—a stranger. I couldn’t understand how people like him still existed in this world filled with so much hatred and spite. At least not after watching someone die right before my eyes. Seeing the emptiness of taking someone’s life, the fear. Yet, somehow, Martin gave me a ray of hope, and for that, I would forever be grateful for him.
Martin looked around the hallway as we walked, searching for the room number. Seven-two-six was displayed on the side of the door to our left as we inched closer to the entryway. He pushed the key card inside the slot, and a green light flashed as it unlocked the door. Martin pushed the handle down to open the door for me to step inside.
The dark colored carpet hid any stains from past occupants, but the room smelled fresh, clean, and a single queen-sized bed rested in the middle of the room with an adjoined white bathroom. The crisp white sheets poked out from the neatly folded beige comforter, and after sleeping in a hospital bed for days, it invited my feeble body to lay and rest from today’s exertion. But it seemed it didn’t only call out for me. Martin flopped on top of the bed, his face hitting the fluffy pillow.
He said in a chuckle, “How about I get you another room? This feels too good to get up.”
I stood over him with a dim smile and shrugged.
“Just kidding,” he joked, sitting up. “Get any drink from the mini-fridge and any food from the hotel’s menu. Don’t worry about it, okay?” I was already shaking my head when he stopped me from talking. “Yes, Dee. Just say, yes, and let it go. Money is not everything in this world, and luckily I have enough to share it.”
He’d used a nickname for me, and he didn’t even notice, but I did. “Okay, thank you.” I smiled.
“Is there anything else you need before I leave?” I shook my head.
“How about some ice?”
“I could use some ice,” I muttered, thinking of my sore wound.
“Okay, I’ll go get it. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t be silly, Martin. I can go.” I raised my hands up to him with a slight head shake.
“Fine, just be careful. I’ll wait for you until you get back, then I’ll leave.”
I gave him a quick nod and stepped out into the hallway, not bothering to use my energy by leaving my purse behind.
When I made it to the ice maker at the end of the hall, a sign in bold letters was tapped to the sliding black door of the machine.
ICE MAKER BROKEN, USE 2nd FLOOR MACHINE.
I was tired, worn, and the last thing I wanted was to fetch ice, but I did anyway.
I took the elevator down five floors, and walked to the end of the hall. Small plastic pitchers rested above the machine, and I opened the sliding door to scoop the frozen cubes. Once the pitcher was full, I stepped away and walked back toward the elevator. But I stopped when I saw a cleaning cart outside one of the passing rooms. Small clear bags stood on the top rack of the rolling cart, and I peeked to see if the cleaning service was inside the room. I figured they wouldn’t miss one bag, and I needed the bag to fill it with ice for my neck. Ripping one of the bags from the roll, I tucked it inside the front pocket of the hoodie Martin had got me, and continued to make my way to press the up arrow of the elevator.
The elevator was open to the city, and I stared out into the falling sun until the bell dinged, alerting I'd arrived on my floor.
The doors slid open, but I struggled to take the first step forward.
And like a recurring bad dream, or déjà vu, a cold shiver ran down my body.
Unwillingly, I took a step forward, quietly, but I jolted forward at the sound of the elevator closing its doors, leaving me behind in the eerie hall. The pitcher filled with ice shuffled in my hands, and I gripped the sweaty plastic as a few pieces slipped onto the carpet.
I stood still, listening.
My heart raced, and I looked down to my feet and kicked the melting ice cubes away from my path. I turned back to the opposite side of the hall for danger, and even if I felt it, no one else was in the hallway with me.
Just my mind.
Yet, I couldn’t shake off the feeling, not when I was still out in the open. My pace quickened, and as my room came into view, relief crawled inside me. And just as quickly, it vanished.
The door to my hotel room was cracked open when I clearly remembered the clicking sound of the heavy door closing after I’d left.
Please, Please, I chanted.
