PART 2: THE SUITE
653 Words
The elevator was a cage of brass and wood. As it ascended, the mechanism groaned loudly, making Marcus worry it might stall halfway.
"Third floor," the elevator dinged.
The hallway was long, stretching into darkness on both ends. The carpet was thick, red, and muffled their footsteps. The walls were lined with paintings—portraits of people from decades ago. Their eyes seemed to follow them as they walked.
"Room 304," Marcus whispered.
They found it at the end of the corridor. The door was heavy wood, with a brass knob that was cold to the touch. Marcus inserted the key. It turned with a loud click.
Inside, the room was luxurious. High ceilings, a four-poster bed, a balcony overlooking the valley. The rain pattered against the glass doors.
"Wow," Sarah breathed out, dropping her bag. "It’s amazing. Even if the manager is a little creepy."
"She’s just old-school," Marcus said, though he too felt a weight in the air. "Let’s get some sleep. I’m exhausted from driving."
They changed and climbed into the massive bed. The sheets were crisp and cool. Despite the eeriness of the lobby, the bed was comfortable, and soon, the sound of the rain acted as a lullaby. Marcus drifted off.
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
Marcus woke up. His heart was hammering.
It was dark. The digital clock on the nightstand flashed 12:01 AM.
He hadn't set an alarm.
"Sarah?" he whispered.
He turned to his side. The bed was empty.
"Sarah?" he called out louder, sitting up.
The bathroom door was closed, but no light was on. The room was dead silent. The rain had stopped.
Then, he heard it.
Footsteps.
Not inside the room. In the hallway. Right outside their door.
Shhh... shhh... shhh...
It sounded like fabric dragging against the carpet. Slow. Deliberate. Coming closer. Then, it stopped.
Right outside Room 304.
Marcus held his breath. He remembered what Elena said. Do not open the door.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"Marcus?"
It was Sarah's voice.
"Baby? Are you there? Open up, I forgot the key."
Marcus frowned. She was outside? Why did she leave? He swung his legs out of bed, walking towards the door. His hand reached for the lock.
Wait.
Something was wrong. The voice sounded like Sarah, but it was too flat. Too monotone. And it sounded like it was coming through a wall, not from just inches away.
"Marcus..." the voice whispered again. "Let me in... I'm cold..."
Marcus pulled his hand back. He pressed his eye against the peephole.
Outside, the hallway light was flickering. Standing there was a figure.
It was tall, wearing a long, flowing dress. The color was unmistakable. Deep, blood red. The fabric seemed to pool on the floor like liquid.
The figure was facing away from the door, head bowed. But slowly, impossibly slowly, it began to turn its head.
Marcus stumbled back, hitting the wall. He couldn't see a face. Just darkness where the head should be, and two glowing, red pinpricks of light where the eyes were.
"Marcus?"
This time the voice came from inside the room. From the bathroom.
The door clicked open, and Sarah walked out, rubbing her eyes. "Why are you standing in the dark? And why is the door unlocked?"
Marcus stared at her, then at the door, then back at her. Sweat was pouring down his face.
"I... I thought you were outside," he stammered.
"What? I was just in the bathroom. Did you hear something?"
"Someone was there," Marcus said, rushing to the door and locking the deadbolt, sliding the chain across. "A woman. In a red dress."
Sarah looked at him, concerned. "You must have been dreaming. There's no one there. Come back to bed."
Marcus didn't sleep for the rest of the night. He sat in the armchair, watching the door, as the silence of the hotel pressed against his ears.
- Writer
