Taste of Ms. Alexander

Chapter 21

AMANDA "ASIA" ALEXANDER

The vehicle rolled to a stop near what seemed to be an abandoned building, swallowed by nature's relentless grip. Thorns, vines, and towering trees wove together, nearly concealing the weathered concrete structure. Branches, thick with leaves, sprawled across the walls like skeletal fingers reclaiming their domain. The structure was almost invisible beneath the suffocating embrace of nature.

A makeshift entrance, once barricaded with wooden planks, now gaped open. The jagged edges bore the scars of a powerful strike, likely from a heavy-duty metal object. It was clear this place had long since become a playground for trespassers. Above, the windows were nothing more than gaping voids, staring into darkness. Whether they had ever held glass was impossible to tell.

It was a jarring contrast to the pristine, perfectly manicured homes we had passed just moments before. This place seemed to had been deliberately left to rot for reasons unknown, and that was the most unsettling part.

A slow, creeping chill coiled down my spine as I turned to Jamie, my brows furrowed.

"Have you ever been here before?" Jamie asked, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and excitement.

I scoffed, side-eyeing the abandoned structure that was before us. "Nope. Didn't even know this place existed. And from the looks of it, not much people come here. What's could be so special about this place, anyway?"

Jamie smirked, "There are so many theories about why this hotel was never finished. It's one of those weird mysteries that never sits right with me. I've asked around, searched online, but nobody has solid answers. Decades have passed, and still, no one knows the full story."

He continued, "Some say that every person who has ever owned this land mysteriously died before they could start construction. Others blame family bankruptcy, cursed money, bad luck. You name it. And then, of course, there's the village talk. Some swear this place is haunted."

He gestured toward the gaping, hollow windows. "They say at night, you can hear whispers. Shadows moving and imaginary doors slamming on their own."

I instinctively looked at him, bewildered. "And yet, you're sitting here like you're about to sign a lease."

Jamie laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Look past the ghost stories and broken walls. There's something about this place. Something raw. I can see the potential. Imagine this being transformed into a secluded retreat for travelers, a hidden gem where people come to disconnect and just... breathe."

I folded my arms, unimpressed. "Uh-huh. And what about the jumbies? You got a business plan for them too?"

Jamie rolled his eyes. "Stop being a coward and come on." With that, he hopped out of the car.

I exhaled, grabbing the bag of food, my phone, and slung my crossbody bag over my shoulder. As I came out the vehicle, Jamie reappeared at the trunk wit two yoga mats in his grasp.

I frowned. "Yoga? What, are we summoning spirits?"

Jamie chuckled, "We need something to sit on, since this was a very impromptu adventure. Follow me, scaredy-cat."

I groaned, shaking my head. "If I only see one shadow move, I'm out."

Jamie grinned. "Deal. But if you run, just know. I'm running faster."

Jamie veered off onto a barely visible path that lead into the thick bushes.  I hesitated for a second, glancing around before letting out a deep sigh. An adventure was about to unfold, whether I was ready or not.

With every step, pebbles and dry leaves crunched beneath my feet, a stark reminder that wearing slippers was a terrible choice for this kind of trek. I winced as twigs poked at my toes, but with every scratch and stumble, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore grew louder, a magnetic pull that urged me forward despite the discomfort.