Six of Us

Chapter Three- Realizations

"WHAT!?" I scream as I wake up. I start panting. It was all a dream, I tell myself. Just a dream.

But what if Kim was outside the door? Right now? Getting ready to knock? Just out of curiosity (and fear), I open the door.

Nothing. That's what I find outside. Absolutely nothing.

I look around and spot something that disturbs me. Two dark eyes, almost purple, stare at me with cold wariness. They were at the end of the corridor, and the weird thing was, I get the feeling I've seen them somewhere recently. With a shudder, I realize they were the same eyes I'd seen in my room before I'd fallen asleep- before my dream.....

I am tempted to follow, but I slam the door before I can. It is a long time before I can fall asleep again.

After I wake up,something occurs to me. It was strange, but I'd seen the face that carried those two eyes. She'd stepped into the light before I'd fallen asleep- why couldn't I remember that before?

I shiver as I think about the face. Deep black eyes, more beautiful than squid ink or midnight. Her hair was the same color, glossy and shiny. Her complexion makes me realize she's either Mexican or Brazilian. It was a copper color, with dark highlights near her cheekbones. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful thing I've ever lain my eyes on.

But she had an aura- one of menace and horror.

I thought about what Celine had said. The rumors of ghosts..... could this gorgeous girl be one? Or was it just my mind playing tricks on me?

Hmmmmm, maybe, I think to myself. Maybe I should stop watching so many horrors and thrillers. There really was no other explanation. 

I have a meeting with Charles, so I hurry up and get ready. The elevator is under maintenance, so I impatiently walk down the stairs.

As I walk down, someone catches my eye. A magnificent lady in a black knee-length frock. She makes stop dead in my tracks.

Beautiful dark hair and eyes, skin like copper metal- it was her.

I turn around. She's not there anymore.

I ask one of the hotel staff whether or not any of the "rumors" included staircases. It's just a hunch, but my hunches are usually right, so I'm not really surprised when he says yes.

"In fact, it's the staircase you just walked down. A girl about twenty committed suicide there."

"Describe her to me."

"Ummm, OK. A Spanish girl, with dark eyes and hair. Her name was Mariah."

I'm shocked, but I don't show it. I just nod and walk away.

I knew something terrible. Horrifying. This place was haunted.

I'd seen a spirit.