THE INN

Chapter: 3 When Someone Calls

Stiles knew it wouldn't be considerate to award the title of 'odd' to Morgan on the basis of the conversation he had with him in the last twenty-four hours. He struggled to keep his personal thoughts and opinions about the people of Greywald aside. Perhaps, he himself was responsible for such outrageous reaction he was getting from everybody or the people here weren't used to seeing new faces, putting their nose where it didn't belong.

Stiles headed upstairs, he saw Morgan still staring at him from the reception area. A pungent smell welcomed Stiles as he put his feet inside the room. He locked the door behind him and placed his camera and phone carefully on the pillow. Stiles made some space for him on the bed. The clothes he was wearing on the previous night were still laying all over the bed. The inn's room looked quite similar to Stiles' own bedroom.

Stiles always had a hard time keeping his place neat and tidy. Most of the time, Stiles couldn't even tell which clothes needed to be washed and which didn't. He used to flip over the bedsheet whenever Riley visited him. Stiles preferred to pretend to have a nicer house rather than actually having to clean it or else, Riley would go straight to their mother to complain about his unhygienic lifestyle.

Leaning against the headboard of the bed, Stiles stretched his arms and legs. As his feet touched the mattress, he realized how much tired he was from all the walking. He was more tired than hungry. There was no point in thinking about dinner anyways. Morgan made himself perfectly clear in the morning that he had nothing to do with Stiles' meals. Stiles could have easily got something to eat when he passed by Berry's but something inside stopped him from going in.

Stiles closed his eyes for a while. He was ready to give himself up to good sleep. He thought of changing into more comfortable clothes, but then decided against it. Stiles lost count of the number of hours he spent asleep.

Stiles' felt his phone vibrating. He tried to search for it by moving his arm around the pillow. Stiles opened his eyes and found everything was blurred for a second. He saw tiny colourful swirl patterns in front of his eyes. Rubbing his eyes, Stiles sat on the bed. A violet light blinked on his phone.

Stiles leaned forward to pick up his phone. The caller ID showed the name, Walden Coben.

Stiles got frightened, not because the name sounded familiar, but because of the reason why the name sounded so familiar. Stiles stared at his phone screen like it was the first time he ever saw someone calling him. Stiles was afraid of being right. He gave a lot of thought to the name appearing on his screen.

'How is that possible? No, this can't be happening. It-It can't be right,' Stiles focussed on the name

After staring at the screen for another minute, Stiles gathered the strength to pick up the call. 'Hello?' he said loud and clear.

The sound of murmurings came from the other side of the phone.

'Hello, Mr Coben? Is that really you? How did you get my number?' he asked. 'Are you okay? Where are you?'

The sound was too low for Stiles to hear. Stiles pressed the phone closer to his ear. He kept on checking the phone to make sure the call wasn't disconnected.

'Hello, is someone there? I can't hear you.' Stiles spoke loudly.

Suddenly the noise of someone crying came through the phone.

'Hello? Are you okay? Who is this? Can you tell me your name?' Stiles asked one question after the other.

That was the last question Stiles asked before the call got disconnected. Stiles wasted no more time and speed dialled Oliver. Stiles got restless after the fifth ring. Stiles didn't know what the time was, all he knew was he couldn't wait for the morning to arrive. If he was right about what he was thinking, then he needed not to waste another second.

'Hey man, what time is it? You okay?' Oliver asked in a sleepy voice.

'Oliver, I need you to listen to me very, very carefully, okay? Can you do that for me?' Stiles waited for Oliver to answer.

Oliver yawned. 'I don't know what time is there in Greywald, but it's 5 in the morning here, Stiles. I gotta wake up on time or else Harrison is going to fire me. Can we do this sometime later, man?'

Stiles took a deep breath. He needed Oliver's complete attention. 'Oliver, just stop talking, and answer me one question.'

'Okay, just be quick.'

'Do you know a man named, Walden Coben?' Stiles crossed his fingers hoping to get a correct answer.

'Why are you asking about him at 5 in the morning?' Oliver sounded alert.

'Just answer me, please.'

'Yeah. He is the same guy who disappeared from inn, right? Now, could you please tell me why are you asking about him? Is everything okay, Stiles?'

Somehow making sentences in his head, Stiles asked. 'Can you send me the details of that guy by 10?

Oliver paused. 'Aah... okay, I guess. I'll send you the details as soon as I get to the office. Anything else?'

'No. Just don't forget to send it. Okay?'

'You wake me up to ask about the missing guy in the middle of the night. Is there something you wanna tell me, Stiles?' Oliver asked.

'Yes, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me, I'm absolutely fine. In fact, I have never been better.' Stiles tried to sound calm.

'You sure? You know, you can always come back man. I'll handle Harrison, and it's going to be fine. You don't have to do something you don't want to.'

Hearing Oliver speak with so much concern melted Stiles' heart. For the first time, Oliver was being the mature one between the two. Stiles never expected Oliver to be the problem solver.

'I'm fine, Oliver. Really. Thanks for the help. You can go back to sleep now. Goodnight.' Stiles said.

'Goodnight, man,' Oliver disconnected the call.

Stiles opened his call log to check the number from which the call came. The last call he made to Oliver appeared on the top of the screen. Stiles went to the section of incoming calls. There was no trace of any calls, Stiles received today.

'How is that possible?' Stiles thought.

Stiles got himself out of the bed to check his reflection in the mirror. Stiles looked worn out. He was 5 ft. 11 inches tall and still found it hard to see the top of the closet. Stiles stared at his ruffled dark brown hair. Dark circles were beginning to form under his eyes.

Stiles covered his face with his hands and took a deep breath. 'It can't be real. I'm making a big deal out of nothing. What I need is some fresh air.'

Stiles make up his mind to go out for a walk and get some air. He needed a diversion. A diversion to keep his mind away from Walden Coben. Stiles unlocked the door and headed out.

Stiles stood in the corridor all alone. The black highlighted marble floor glowed in the moonlight. Stiles could see the door of other rooms. Every room had a silver lock on them except for the one in the end. Stiles went near the room, following the only light coming through the windows. The design of every Salvador walnut door was the same.

Stiles wanted to appreciate the architecture of the town. Everything he saw in Greywald had a quality about it. He never saw such beautiful use of Walnut and Oakwood. Stiles had to agree that Greywald was an alluring town.

Stiles reached at the end. He ran his fingers through the pattern on the door and heard a humming came from other side of the door.

'What the hell!' Stiles pressed his ear against the door.

The humming followed by the beating of drums grew louder. Stiles gently knocked on the door.

'Who's there?' Stiles heard a familiar voice.

Stiles cleared his throat. 'It's um... Well.'

'Are you the, 'You didn't carry my luggage guy?' the voice stated.

It took Stiles less than a second to recognize the voice. 'Yes, you are right.'

'Come on in.'

Stiles opened the door and found Billy lying down on the bed with his legs elevated. He was chewing something, his phone lay on the top of his chest.

'So, you live here?' Stiles asked unsure about what to say.

'Aaah...I do, but do not tell Morgan. I'm planning a surprise for him. So, it would be great if you don't tell him anything.'

Stiles laughed a little. 'Okay, I can try not to tell him, he can be pretty intimidating.'

Billy stopped moving his mouth. 'Hey, I was kidding. Actually, I was here to look for my charger.'

'Oh, that explains you sleeping on the bed,' Stiles said. 'So, did you find it then?'

Billy moved his head sideways. 'I was about to, but then I got busy. You see, balancing a job and keeping my grades up, ain't easy. I have got a lot going on in my mind.'

'I highly doubt that. Which grade are you in?'

Billy started to scroll down on his phone. 'Grade? What did you mean by that?'

Stiles looked confused. 'You go to school, right?'

Billy laughed at something, he probably read or saw on his phone. 'Who said anything about school?'

Stiles shook his head in disappointment. 'Well, I'm gonna head back to my room now. Sorry to disturb you. Have a good night, if you ever sleep.'

'I want my charger back.' Billy said, still scrolling through his phone.

'I'll give you back in the morning, hope that's okay?'

Stiles was not sure whether Billy heard him or not. Stiles left Billy's not so secret hiding place and found himself back in the corridor.

'At least, now I know how to get Billy to talk.' Stiles muttered.