They Called It The Apocalpse

Chapter 7

When they pulled into the parking lot everyone was ready to get out of the car. Jason got out and stretched his legs whilst Cassie tried to take a deep breath of air, which made a gurgling sound deep in her nose. The minute Tate was out of the car he seemed a whole lot better, his muscles relaxed and he got that cheery half smile back on his face. "So you got any money for a room?" He joked as Jason strode towards the dark reception. He stood outside peering in through the glass, the desk was lit by a green emergency light and there didn't seem to be anyone inside. Cassie moved up beside him and Tate mimicked Jason by dusting down a space to look through the glass. "Wait here. I'll go get a key." Jason mumbled, he shuffled round to the door then pushed it open. A bell went off somewhere in the back and he glanced over at Cassie and Tate, who watched him through the window. Tate gave him a thumbs up. No one appeared to serve him as he slowly made his way over to the counter, everything appeared to have been left how it was originally; the phone still waited for calls, the books were open on the last day of residencies but a thick layer of dust covered the artefacts. Jason decided that his best bet was to jump the table grab a key and then head back out of there. He braced himself carefully with his hands and then slid over to the other side, looking through the keys then selecting one that looked the least shabby. He placed a foot on the desk then pushed himself up and over before heading for the door.

Once outside he passed Cassie the key and she examined it carefully, "108." She read aloud then turned to look up at the rooms. "We're upstairs." She chimed, heaving her bag further onto her shoulder, then setting off with a slight limp. Tate nodded and followed and Jason finally jogged after them. They climbed the stairs and stomped across the landing until they reached their room, the door was closed and the numbers were still upright except for the nine which hung upside down. Cassie looked between the two boys then pushed the key into the lock, it popped open with a click to reveal the dark room inside.

Tate reached for the light switch and the three lamps beside the beds flickered to life. "What'd ya know, we've got electric." He laughed as he pushed his way in first.
"Check for joyous." Cassie called after him as he wound between the beds then moved up to the small door to the bathroom, he threw it open dramatically revealing nothing but a bathtub, faucet and toilet. "Check the closet Jason called and Tate rolled his eyes, opening that too to reveal an empty room. "All clear." He called back then flopped down in the centre of one of the double beds. He sighed, sinking into the springy mattress as Cassie and Jason ventured inside. There were two double beds and a mint green armchair with frayed arm rests, a desk stood opposite Tate's bed with a wooden chair and a mirror above it. There was a television set on top of a chest of drawers and in the corner by the door was a folding baggage holder. As Cassie shuffled further inside to examine the bathroom and closet, Jason shut the door behind him and slipped his backpack off, standing it on the arm chair as he looked around. He leaned past Cassie to see into the bathroom and found a full size bath with a shower head, a prestige white toilet and a small faucet. He reached over, flipping the tap on and watching as a stream of clear water poured out. He exchanged a look of sheer joy with Cassie then moved to look at the closet which had a few coat hangars for clothes and a clothing rail. "Ahh, dibs on this bed." Tate murmured, already sounding half asleep, he was spread out in the shape of a star with his feet hanging off the end. "One of us is going to have to take the floor." Jason stated, perching on the corner of the free bed and slipping his boots from his feet, "And take your muddy shoes off." He grumbled, poking Tate in the leg. He nodded, grievously sitting up and untying the laces of his walking boots then kicking them off into the middle of the room. He lay back down, grabbing the edge of the sheets and rolling sideways into them, wrapping himself up tight.

Cassie turned to watch Tate roll over and smiled to herself, "Come sit, I'll take a look at your nose." Jason said as he patted the bed beside him. She limped over, sliding sideways onto the bed then bending over to untie her shoes, she struggled to get the first one off then started to fumble with the second. "I got you." Jason mumbled, lifting her foot up onto his lap and tugging the lace undone. He slipped the shoe from her foot then looked into her grey eyes. "Does your ankle hurt?" She nodded.
"A little." Gently, he rolled the edge of her trouser leg up then carefully pushed her sock down to her heel. He ran his fingers over it tenderly, applying pressure in certain places as Cassie bit her lip to stop herself from wincing. "It's a little bruised," Jason explained as she looked over at the purple and brown splotches, "but I think that's it. It's definitely not broken." He smiled up at her then pulled her sock back up to her ankle and rolled her trouser leg down. "Now your nose."