When Darkness Falls

Chapter 4: The motel.

Nighttime was fast approaching, and my eyes began to feel heavy; that was my cue to find somewhere to sleep for the night. Suddenly, bright lights came into view, flashing and lighting up the road ahead. I came to a stop behind a massive lineup of cars, and concern now plagued my mind.

I got out of the car and approached the vehicle in front of me. I knocked on the window, and the driver rolled it down, revealing an older man sitting behind the wheel. "Sorry to bother you, but do you know what's going on?" I asked the man.

"There was a bad accident up ahead; police said the road could be closed for a few hours." He told me regretfully.

I reared back and looked ahead before sighing as this was unexpected and put a considerable dent in my plan to be on time. I turned back to the man. "Do you know of another way around?"

The man turned his body slightly and gestured behind him. "There is a turn-off called black road just a short distance back. The road will take you around the highway, but it's a straight stretch to Georgia."

I clasped my hands together. "That's perfect as that's where I'm going."

I started to make my way back to the car when the man stopped me. "Miss? Be careful on that road, and don't stop for anyone." He said in a severe tone.

My brows furrowed in confusion. "Of course, sir, and thank you for everything," I told him kindly before going back to the car.

I shook off the man's warning, not giving it too much thought and backed up my car. Then, I turned around and headed back in the direction I had just come from, keeping an eye out for the turn-off. After driving for a few minutes, I finally spotted the sign for black road.

The road was dark, deserted and an unmaintained disaster causing my car to bounce around. As I continued down the road, the feeling of unease swirling in the pit of my stomach only increased, and I wondered if I had made the right decision by taking this route.

Suddenly, I caught sight of a large worn-out sign that read, "Black motel just ahead." Very welcoming, I thought to myself.

After driving for about ten minutes, I could see a dimly lit sign just ahead of me that flickered "Vacant." I pulled into the empty lot and parked the car.

Once parked, I looked around at everything, and if it weren't for the small amount of light coming from the far end of the building, I would swear that the place was deserted. I got out of the car and closed the door behind me; my heels clicked against the pebbles beneath my feet as I made my way towards the only light coming from this place. As I neared the door, I could now see a sign that said "Office."

Opening the door, I walked into an empty outdated room that looked like it was abandoned in the 1960s. The furniture was worn down, cobwebs and dust covered everything, and the smell was overwhelming.

I turned my gaze to the water-stained desk, where I spotted a rusty bell preached on the counter, and I lightly tapped it only to have nearly pissed myself when a man in his mid-30s popped his head up from behind.

I nearly jumped out of my shoes at his sudden and unexpected appearance. "Holy shit! You scared me." I said while laughing and clutching a hand to my chest.

The man seemed less than pleased with my presence as he stared at me with dark lifeless eyes. His brown hair was tousled and looked like he hadn't washed it in months.

He furrowed his thick brows, clearly not amused. "Can I help you?" The man asked in a deep tone.

I nodded my head before clearing my throat. "Yes, I need a room for the night, please?" I told him as I reached into my purse to grab my information and credit card.

"Single?" The man asked me, flashing his yellow smoker teeth and my brows shot up at his question.

I pursed my lips, not sure of the meaning behind his question. "Excuse me?"

He cleared his throat. "Single bed?" The man repeated, but in better detail.

I squeezed my eyes shut and exhaled. "Uhm, yes, please," I replied, feeling ashamed of myself for jumping to conclusions. However, this man had a dark aura, and something about him made my skin crawl.

I filled out the paperwork and gave the man my card. Then he grabbed a key from the wall behind him that had a black tag with the number seven etched onto the plastic.

He extended his arm, and I reached out to grab the key, but before I could grasp ahold of it, the man pulled his hand back, a mysterious look masking his features now. "Do not leave your room after dark. No matter what you hear or what you see, do not leave the room!" He said sternly, menace lacing his tone. I wrinkled my nose at his words, wondering why he said such an odd thing and with such gravity. Then, glancing to the window, I saw that it was nearly dark now.

I stood there, silently, unsure of how to respond, before shaking off his words and smiling at him. "Don't worry; I won't. I plan on going to bed." So I told him, and he stared at me for a beat, then handed me the key.

I took the key without hesitation, and as my hand brushed against his, I got this bone-chilling vibe from him. "Thank you," I told him before turning on my heels and leaving the office.

I hurried back outside, shaking off the feeling I got from him and that conversation. I went back to my car and parked it closer to the motel before grabbing my bags. Then, I looked down at the key in my hand and double-checked the room number before continuing to my room. I made my way down the broken sidewalk and finally found room seven.

My first few attempts to unlock the door failed as the key kept jamming, but on my final try, the door opened. Entering the room, I started laughing as it looked like a crime scene, like something from a horror movie. I threw my bag down on the floor and continued to look around at the deteriorating room, shaking my head at the lack of maintenance. Now, I knew why no one else was staying at this shit hole.

I walked into the bathroom, and my eyes widened at the filth coating every inch; there were porta-potties I had used in the past that were cleaner than this bathroom.

After finally settling in, I reluctantly laid down on the bed and turned the television on, needing some noise to drown out the silence. I surfed through the channels looking for something to find, but my choices were limited. Failing to find something interesting to watch, I chose a random movie and then decided to have a shower.

Feeling clean and refreshed, I got into my cozy pyjamas then climbed into the bed. Looking at the small clock that rested on the nightstand, I noticed it was now 10:30 pm, and it was time for me to get some sleep, although I didn't see that happening anytime soon.

I lay there, tossing and turning when suddenly a bang rattled the large window next to my room door. I bolted upwards and gasped as my head whipped in the direction of the window. I stared at the curtain that concealed the glass window before cautiously getting down from the bed. Then, creeping over to the window, I drew the curtain back slightly and peered outside, but there was no one around for me to see.

There was no one else staying at the hotel, and we were in the middle of nowhere. I looked to the office, and it was dark now, so what made that bang? I stepped back from the window, trying not to overthink it, but as I stepped back, something banged against the window once more, and I shrieked.

I pulled the curtain back again and peeked outside once more, but still couldn't see anyone, except this time, I noticed that one of my car's tires was flat. I then walked over to the door and reached up, pinching the door chain between my fingers. Just as I was about to remove the lock, I remembered what the man had said about not going outside after dark.

Now, I was unsure whether I should open the door or not; the man seemed pretty adamant about me not leaving my room after dark. Not only that, I didn't know what was banging against my window or what was doing it. However, I couldn't see anything or anyone outside, and I needed to inspect my tire. So, reluctantly, I pulled the chain back and unbolted the door, swinging it open.