Arcane Sequence: 1994: Never Stop Running... (WLW)

Chapter Nine: Comfort Suites Hotel, Neptune Beach, Florida, June 23rd, 1994

This chapter contains mature themes.

Before Berry had even finished putting the group's newly acquired sedan into gear as she parked in the lot surrounding their hotel, Kirah noticed Ethan and Saul opening their doors. The younger of the two opened her door once he was standing outside and held out his hand, taking the duffel bag that rested on her lap. Kirah watched as he flipped it over his shoulder and moved back toward the trunk, hearing the click of Berry pulling its lever. She got out as well, but leaned into the car and looked at her.

"Come on, love. The boys will grab our things while we check in." Kirah stood up from the vehicle and Berry made her way over to her as she headed toward the back of the car, "We'll wait at the elevators for y'all, but keep your eyes peeled."

"You got it, hoss." Ethan replied and Kirah watched as Saul winked in Berry's direction.

Berry took Kirah's hand and they made their way into the hotel's main lobby, then over to the desk. "Hi. I called earlier to make a reservation under the same Richey. Maribelle Richey."

The clerk smiled up at her and glanced down at a folder in front of herself, then nodded as she tapped her fingers along a particular line of writing. "Yes, I have you down for two rooms side by side lasting until noon today." She peered back up at Berry and softly chortled. "I guess driving here took longer than you expected. Would you like to extend your stay?"

"No, we're only passing through long enough to nap. Thank you, though."

As Berry took the keys to their rooms from her, the woman eyed Kirah and furrowed her brow. "That's too bad. Well, I hope the two of you enjoy your rooms."

"Oh, well the other room is actually--" Kirah began, but Berry interrupted and gave her hand a series of light squeezes.

"For my brothers. We're all on a road trip and just need a good night's rest in a proper bed. Car's getting a bit cramped, if you know what I mean." As she finished speaking, Berry flashed a wide, bright smile at the woman and she sent one of her own back. "And we could use some privacy, too."

The clerk blushed as her eyebrows journeyed up her forehead, glancing between Berry and Kirah several times, then nodded rather vigorously. "I completely understand and will make sure room service doesn't bother you."

"Thanks." Berry replied as she brought Kirah's hand to her lips and kissed her knuckles. They both made their way to the elevator only to find Saul and Ethan already having beat them there, although Kirah couldn't keep her eyes off of Berry. She finally turned her head toward her after giving the boys their key, then furrowed her brow. "What?"

"Did I say something wrong back there?"

"Huh?"

"Well, I don't want to say the wrong thing to attract attention and--"

"We need a cover story and I already discussed it with the guys while we were getting gas earlier, but hadn't gotten around to it yet with you. That was on me." She led Kirah into the elevator after Ethan and Saul got inside with their luggage, then pushed the button for the third floor. "We are a family on a road trip up the north coast, made up of three siblings and my girlfriend. If anyone asks, our family name is Richey and yours you can select yourself. Okay?"

"Hmm... Paulson? Will that work?"

Berry cracked a sideways grin at her as the elevator doors opened once more, and then led her out into the hallway. It was relatively low lit, which made sense considering it was the middle of the night. Or to be more precise, it was literally first thing in the morning, just after about one-twenty. A fact which hadn't gone unnoticed as Kirah felt her eyelids growing heavier by the moment. It had been a long day of driving and she was exhausted. They still had some odd miles to go until they reached Savannah, Georgia where Berry's little brother Tucker waited for them, but with everyone having trouble keeping their eyes open, they'd all decided to take the rest of the morning to get some rest.