Tailspin Anthology

Gate-House Prequel

If Jason met Christian at his family's inn.

Spring break is in full swing, and nineteen year old Jason is standing behind the counter where the desk clerk greets and checks guests in.

"This place is a ghost town. Where is everyone?" His twenty one year old sister asked as she wheels in supplies.

"Aunt Lilly said things have slowed down since the new resort opened a few miles from here."

"Oh no." She said. "I hope they aren't going bankrupt. This place has been in our family for generations."

The sound of a bell ringing caught their attention, and eighteen year old Christian has entered through the front door.

"Welcome!" Jason's sister greeted more enthusiastically than needed.

He blinked at them. "Um, thanks?"

She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. It's just that you're our first guest in all day."

"Really?" He squeaked in surprise.

Jason rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Yeah. You're special. Now, are you going to check in or not?"

"Jason." His sister reprimanded.

"Oh, right." Christian rushed to the counter with his big duffel bag swinging all over the place before knocking a vase on the table. "Sorry."

Jason is pinching the bridge of his nose. "I get the feeling these next few days are going to go by slowly."

A couple hours later, "C'mon guys. Just because I'm the only guest, doesn't mean I'm going to be murdered." Christian is talking to his family on his cell as he walks down the stairway.

"You guys worry too much. Don't even think about coming up here. I'm a grownup you know. Oh, ha-ha. Very funny. Talk to you later." He hung up, and stomped his foot in annoyance.

"If you scratch our hardwood floor, I'm charging you extra." Jason mumbled, making him jolt.

"Geez. You scared the heck out of me." He said.

"Whatever. My family sent me to tell you that dinner is ready."

"Thank heavens. I'm starving." As if to make a point, his stomach growled. "He-he." He chuckled sheepishly.

Jason couldn't help laughing a bit before composing himself. "Let's get going."

A few minutes later, Christian is happily stuffing his face in the dining hall.

"My, I've yet to see someone with such a big appetite." A pale woman in her forties stated as she places a third helping of food down on the table.

"Delicious." He grumbled with food in his mouth.

Jason's sister giggled. "What are you planning on doing these next few days?" She asked.

Christian swallowed before taking a brochure out. "I want to see Whale Rock, walk the trail, and then visit the hot spring."

"Hot spring?" She furrowed her brow in confusion.

He beamed at her. "Yeah. The one up the hill from the bus stop."

She looked at her brother. Then him again. "Do you mind showing us?"

He nodded enthusiastically, and they are walking in the mountains with flashlights after dinner. "I can't believe we are actually looking for a hot spring that I am sure does not exist." Jason said.

Christian narrowed his eyes. "Are you calling me a liar? I swear I saw it. We are not in the desert, so it wasn't a hallucination."

Jason opened his mouth to argue when his sister gasped. "I found it!"