The grandfather clock struck 9:00 pm. "Ah, well I've gotta get going. Here are all the keys you will need," Mr. Brom said, handing me a silver ring that held so many keys I thought they'd surely bend the metal.
"Thanks, Mr. Brom. I promise I'll take care of the place," I said, putting on a polite smile as I took the heavy ring from his hand.
"No thank you, Devlin. My family and I have been wanting a vacation of our own for quite some time, and giving the stormy weather, it's a perfect time for very few guests and a trip to Florida." The cheery old man smiled, his cheeks becoming chubbier and his eyes more joyful.
"I understand, Mr. Brom. Everyone deserves a break at some point."
We chatted for another ten minutes before he finally grabbed the last of his luggage and headed out into the winter storm. Minnesota could sure be a hazard during the cold season. Luckily the blizzard hadn't come full force yet, giving Mr. Brom and his family a couple days time to make their leave.
The Broms had been close friends with my family for years now. Mr. Brom had been the one to help my parents start their catering business, which in turn now catered at the Bromwood Hotel. The Bromwood is one of the most esteemed hotels in the state, and I had only ever been to it during the daylight hours while my parents were catering.
Tonight was the first night I'd spend in the hotel and it was unreal that I'd have such a big place all to myself. It was exciting and unnerving at the same time. The hotel was so eerily quiet, but there were, of course, no residents at the moment.
I was instructed to take in anyone looking for a room, but I doubted that would happen considering the conditions outside. The hotel staff were even off work until the storm died down - maids, bellboys, and all.
I shuffled across the shiny hardwood floor to the heavy oak desk in the middle of the lobby. The soft leather office chair looked comfortable enough for a nap, so I plopped down into it, took my heavy boots off, and propped my feet up.
It didn't take long, with the inviting warmth of the fireplace and the howling of the wind outside, for me to fall asleep.
I jolted awake after what seemed like only minutes of being asleep to realize that I'd actually napped for a few hours. The clock now read 3:00 am and the fire burning in the fireplace had died down to only a small flame.
I looked around, wondering what could have woken me. I'm normally a heavy sleeper, and my naps usually turn into deep sleeps. But I'm sure whatever it was, was either the wind or just falling asleep in an uncomfortable sitting position. The hotel was still quiet, empty, just how I left it.
I became aware soon that I had to use the restroom. Curse all those energy drinks that still couldn't keep me awake.
So I stood up and stretched a bit before heading over to the employee bathroom down the hall. I rubbed my heavy eyelids as I dragged my feet across the floor. I'd used the restroom (that was altogether larger than my bedroom at home) and shuffled again out into the lobby.
I was still quite sleepy even after my nap and decided it would be best to turn in for the night. After all, who checks into a hotel at three in the morning in a blizzard?
My socks made no noise as I walked towards the staircase. My room was upstairs, one that Mr. Brom had chosen for me randomly. After lazily sliding my feet across the hardwood for what seemed like forever, I finally made it to the stairs.
I was about to begin my ascent when I felt something moist under my feet. Whatever it was made a wet spot on my sock.
"What the heck?" I looked down at the floor where a bit of snow was melting.
