an Everlasting Pursuit

eighteen

The next morning, I woke earlier than normal. Despite feeling exhausted, I was restless and unable to get comfortable. It didn't help that with every passing hour, the ache in my bones and ribs grew worse. Eventually, I gave up trying to fall back asleep and sat upright in the bed.

Running a hand over my eyes, I squinted to get a glimpse of the clock on the wall.

5:02 AM

Brilliant.

Huffing, I pulled myself from the bed, only to collapse as shooting pains shot down my torso and thigh. I exhaled heavily, trying to catch my bearings. I couldn't stay in this room; it was way too confining. In the past, when I couldn't sleep for many reasons, I always found myself outside, and that was my plan for this morning.

Stretching away the pain, I made my way to my drawers. Pulling on some underwear and socks, I grabbed a hoodie, leggings and some boots. I loved boots. So versatile. Wear them with most things, get you through rough terrain and rain...

Zipping them up, I tapped my heels together before making my way down the hallway. I eyed the death box elevator with hatred before deciding it was my best bet to get outside without falling down the stairs and breaking my neck.

With a grumble, I pushed the button to call it, wrapping my arms around myself as I waited. When the doors pinged, a loud ding alerted the quiet night of its arrival and I inhaled deeply before stepping inside. Hitting the ground floor button, the doors closed softly behind me. The death box surged as it started up and I counted the seconds for it to reach the bottom level.

Eight seconds later, the death box stopped and my stomach churned with the need to get out. Confined and trapped, like a bird in a cage. It was scarier alone, that was for sure.

Scrambling out once the doors opened, I let out the breath I had been holding. Straightening my back, I gauged my surroundings. It was deathly silent. The only noise I could hear down here was the churning of a nearby heating source.

Smiling triumphantly, I made my way down the hall to use the back exit. Walking through the kitchen was creepy in the dim light, but I shook off the strange feeling as I continued to the exit. Once I reached it, I tried the handle, hoping it was unlocked.

I wasn't so lucky.

Cursing, I eyed the keyhole with a scowl. I had to find a key.

If you were a werewolf living in a huge hotel, where would you keep the back door key?

Running my hands along the crevices in the door, I came up short. The only discovery was a layer of dust coating my fingers. I glared out of the clear glass; the sky getting lighter as morning approached. Springtime always meant earlier mornings, and I wanted to be out there before that happened.

"Looking for something?"

I shrieked with alarm, jumping from the spot I was in to spin around. My eyes were wide like a deer caught in headlights as I tried to make out the owner of the voice.

A feminine figure walked closer, a soft sigh of relief when I found out who it was.

"You scared the shit out of me." I mumbled, glaring at her.

"Sorry." Mya laughed. "Humans are so loud and deaf."

I scowled, crossing my arms. "Rude."

"I could practically hear your every breath." She commented, scanning my body. "You're in pain."

I shrugged, looking away from her. "Nothing I can't handle."

She grimaced, stepping closer. I noticed she was just in a sports bra and leggings, sweat dripping from her skin and her dark hair tied back. Faint white scars lined her body, most on her stomach and ribs, but two large ones down her forearms caught my attention. They looked painful, deep, and spanned the length of her forearm.