The Haunted Hotel of La Chandelier

The Beginning

Paris, a city where history and modernization go hand in hand. This city is the fashion center of the world where famous brands such as Channel and Louis Vuitton were born. Paris has also been named the romantic city in the world. It's no wonder that on every street corner there are various couples of various ages spreading a love romance whose ending will end under the Eiffel Tower while kissing.

But romance like this is not for a single man like me. By the way, I've been in Paris for a week. I quite enjoy the beauty of carving in the post-modern Renaissance , delicious pastries, and the beauty of French women's faces.

But living in Paris is not as easy as I imagined. Especially now that I don't have a job, so I only rely on my savings, which are running low. Actually I could have asked dad to send me money. But I was too shy to ask him for money. After all, living in Paris was my decision after my father and mother divorced a few months ago. So I don't want to bother him at all.

After my parents' divorce, I wanted to be alone, away from all the people who pretended to feel sorry for me. Actually, my parents' marriage relationship has been broken for a long time. My father is a police commissioner who is always busy handling various criminal cases in Metropolis. While my mother is a former model who is now working in the field of fashion in one of the world's famous fashion houses as a fashion designer. His job made my mother rarely at home. My house became very quiet even I rarely saw my parents.

Luckily I have four friends who are always by my side, when I'm sad or happy. But it didn't last long because they started to leave me. Maybe this is what is called the reality of life. Everyone will go to pursue their own goals and dreams.

I remember the night I decided to move to Paris. At that time I was contemplating on the rooftop of a tall building in Metropolis. From the rooftop of this building, I can see the expanse of skyscrapers sparkling with the light of the lamp. The night wind blows gently. And also the sound of car horns honking from below. Very noisy! But this is the capital.

I should be hanging out with my parents right now. Sharing complaints about the future where I have to be an independent and responsible person for myself. Maybe this is my imagination that is too high and will never come true. My parents divorced two days after my graduation day. Ironic isn't it!

People around me always ask 'are you okay?' Every time even every time until I get bored. Moreover, they looked at me with pitiful eyes and that made me quite sick. Do they think I will be one of the children of a broken home who will do reckless things that harm myself? I'm not a stupid kid who will drown myself in a vortex of drugs. Or doing bad things like hurting myself to the death. Their thoughts are wrong! I'm not that weak.

Various kinds of things filled my head until I didn't realize that Erick standing beside me. So, I turned and looked at him.

"So you're here." he said.

"You're looking for me?"

He is Erick Alcander, a friend I have considered as my own brother. I have known him since childhood. Our parents are close friends. Erick ruffled his hair which was starting to grow long. Then toss it back. I can see his pierced ears. Erick reached into the pocket of his black leather jacket. Take out a pack of menthol cigarettes and take one.

"Cigarette?" his offer me.

Before I could answer, Erick threw the packet of menthol cigarettes at me without warning. Luckily, my right hand reflexively caught the white box object. I took a cigarette and tucked it between my lips. I searched for the lighter in my trouser pocket but I couldn't find it.

"Looking for this?" he asked while pointing a silver lighter with a horse logo in the middle at me.

"I found it lying on the stairs, probably fell over while you were walking here." said Erick who was now lighting the lighter to light the cigarette that was stuck to his lips before pointing it at me and lighting my cigarette.