The Caroline Hotel

Midnight

1994, Oregon.

I thought rolling down the windows of my dad's Toyota Corolla would help me stay awake but I was mistaken. The cool breeze of the seaside woods brushed against my tired face, like a mother caressing her child's sweet face. That thought alone seemed to lull me to sleep. I took a deep breath and like a overworked father, exhaled with such labor I thought I'd yawn and turned up the radio, resting my head on my hand. "In other news, local authorities of Peak County say they still have no leads on the local missing persons cases, Despite the extensive investigating acted upon the now abandoned Sunshine Diner." For some reason, that place sounded familiar. But I brushed it off as my mind clinging to anything to keep me awake. But soon, I saw the faint glow of warm light down the lonely forest road. I sighed in relief as I thought to myself, "finally, a rest area." I had been driving for nearly 13 hours straight after all. I guess that's the one inconvenience about going to college so far from home. But honestly, a bit of me enjoys it because I get to avoid my mother. The chain-smoking lunatic. My dad and I are close. I mean, he felt happy enough to give me his car. I guess that says enough. I really only go back home for him and my sister Nelly. She's entered high school this year and I wanted to see her as a present for surviving middle school. Road trips were never really a fond memory of mine since my mom and dad spent the whole time arguing, and mom would smoke with the windows up. But again, I do this for Nelly and dad. I love those two so much.

As I approached the source of the light my joys were amplified. A hotel! And a very nice one as well. It looked like a tourist spot for ghost hunters but I could only imagine how cozy the rooms were. I pulled in and parked, grabbing some of my essential bags from the trunk of this beat up Corolla. I dragged my tired cumbersome body inside to the lobby. I was hit with the strong scent of old paper, and a faint smell of cigarette smoke. I wasn't sure if that smell was due to me being exhausted and nostalgic or if it was because this hotel seemed very, very, old. I approached the desk and a tired older woman looked at me with some disdain and some kindness in her dark wise eyes. "Welcome, how may I help you?" She said, putting her cigarette out in her worn-out ash tray. I couldn't help but feel like I was around my mom again. But it wasn't a very happy feeling. "I just need a room until morning. Please." I said, putting my things down and searching my pockets for my wallet. "Just you?" She said, typing away on her chunky Macintosh that took up at least 85% of the space on her desk. "Yes." I answered in a daze as I was occupied with my wallet. All I had left was about $42 and some change. "Okay, $40." I sighed and handed her the $42 watching as she became annoyed with having to count change. "Just keep the change." I said, smiling despite being somewhat annoyed and very exhausted. She shrugged and handed me my room key. "207" it read on the beat up metal. I headed up to my room, gazing at the decor and design of this hotel. I don't remember passing by this place before but maybe it was because I've changed routes this time around I've come to visit Nelly and dad.

This place felt frozen in time. The carpet on the floors looked like it's seen better days. The doors were very old and made from strong dark wood. Not sure what kind though. I made it up to my room and unlocked the door, pushing it open slightly. It creaked loudly and I instinctually cringed. I didn't wanna piss off any people staying here. I shuffled myself and my luggage inside, closing the door as quietly as I could behind me. I took a deep breath. The room smelled like dust, old paper, and again, cigarettes. To me this place gave off vibes from a parlor in the 50's or something. I yawned and kicked off my shoes, not caring I was still in my regular clothes and lied down on the bed. The bed itself felt old. The designs on the blanket reminded me of the kind of patterns you'd see on your grandma's wedding dress or something. The pillows were soft. Too soft. My head sank right through them. I assumed they were feather pillows so I gave up and got as comfortable as I could possibly be. I fell asleep rather quickly and it felt great to rest after so long.