Goosebumps | The Dummy Hotel

Chapter 1 pt.3

"Well hello, hello."

The lady said proudly into the mic. The smile stayed plastered on her face. But for some reason her smile sent shivers down my spine and weirded me out. I gazed around the room and saw that everyone was dazed. They suspected nothing about her. As if she gave off no weird energy. Everyone with a smile said 'Hello.' back at her. I could feel the table shaking slightly and looked at Matthew who had her leg shaking uncontrollably. Xavier must have noticed because he placed his hand on her leg. Giving her a reassuring look which she returned with a soft smile.

"Well hello, hello." The lady said proudly into the mic. The smile stayed plastered on her face. But for some reason her smile sent shivers down my spine and weirded me out. I gazed around the room and saw that everyone was dazed. They suspected nothing about her. As if she gave off no weird energy. Everyone with a smile said 'Hello.' back at her. I could feel the table shaking slightly and looked at Matthew who had her leg shaking uncontrollably. Xavier must have noticed because he placed his hand on her leg. Giving her a reassuring look which she returned with a soft smile.

Zoe came back with our drinks on a tray. And she was carrying them with one hand. "Alright here's two waters, three sweet teas, and two diet cokes." As she spoke she handed everyone their drinks. Then behind her Sylvia's brother Trent showed up behind her. "Hey guys." "Hey Trent." Sylvia replied and then looked at Zoe. "Ma'am can he order a drink? He's with us." Zoe nodded and smiled. Turning to him with a pen and notepad. "Drink? And do you have what you'd like to eat in mind?" Trent nodded and thought about what he wanted to drink. I sighed and looked around. The lady still talking and smiling. She just gave me and Matthew the creeps. Boyce looked around two, then took a sip of his diet coke. "Man, this place is weird."

"You think?" I said turning to him with a slight scoff. "This whole place is weird." Matthew nodded in agreement. "Maybe we need to get used to it?" Aaron's sister suggested. Everyone else shrugged. "You know, this hotel isn't really normal at all. Even when you get used to it." Zoe replied as she finished writing and started to collect the menus. We all looked at each other, then pulled our attention back to Zoe. "What do you mean?" Cameron asked as she leaned in. Zoe sighed and bit her lower lip. Thinking about what to say now I guess. Tapping her foot rapidly. "Well I'll tell you guys when my shift is over. Deal?" "Deal." Everyone replied at the same time and she walked away.

"Now let me introduce myself and my assistant for the day." The lady said proudly as she fixed the dummy's posture as well. It was odd because she treated it like a real human. And I found it quite weird because wasn't it just a stupid doll? Like it was made of wood and painted to look like a person. Not very believable but they were someone human-like. As the crowd cheered the lady smiled and made the dummy look around. Then made him or her wave at the crowd. We all watched in curiosity as she began her act. A perfect smile on her face, not moving her lips at all when she made the weird voice. “Hi guys! My name is Enzo!” Matthew froze and dropped her phone on the table, making a loud clatter sound on the table.

Some people turned to see what was happening while the lady carried on, grasping their attention once more. I looked at her, seeing her tan face turn white with fear. Eyes wide and her mouth gaped open. As if seeing someone being murdered right in front of her. Xavier turned to her and held her shoulders. Making her face him. “Matt, what's wrong? Are you okay?” He whispered to her, a look of concern grew on his face.

Cameron and Aaron looked concerned too. “I’m going to need assistance for this one Kathy.” I could not believe the cackle the Lady did for Enzo. It was as if he was alive! It was just insane how it sounded completely different from her normal voice. The lady chuckled and then nodded in agreement. “Of course Enzo. Pick them! Everyone raise your hands!” She said happily as many people raised their eager hands. Aaron’s sister was one of them. I watched as Enzo scanned the crowd and his eyes landed on her. My heart sank down to my stomach for some reason, I’m not sure why.

“You young girl, come up here to the stage. “Enzo cried in a loud excited voice. With a bright smile Aaron’s sister walked up to the stage. Her braids bounced off her back as she climbed up the stairs. Standing beside Enzo and the Lady named Kathy. “My young girl. What is your name?” He asked her. Leaning closer, eager to know.  “Lyla, Lyla Jenkins.” She said proudly. There could be no more beautiful Lyla’s then here. It fit her so well. The name matched her perfectly. Enzo’s grin seemed to widen as he looked at her. Kathy giggling softly and then spoke into the mic. “Everyone, this is Lyla Jenkins! Give her a round of applause!”And just like that everyone was cheering. I could even see my parents cheering along with the big crowd.

Matthew was nervous again. Tapping her foot and looking around anxiously. As if someone was coming to get her. And I was starting to finally understand why she felt that way. It was Enzo, he was the reason Matthew felt weird. Why was she so scared and nervous about this place? Why did it give her such an uneasy feeling? But the main question was, why? How could a place like this be so creepy? Well I guess we are going to have to find out for ourselves if we want to solve this dreaded mystery. As the show went on Enzo kept asking Lyla questions about things she liked or what she did in her free time. Apparently this act was called the ‘Get to know me act.’

It didn’t take much longer till Zoe came back with our lunch. Serving it to each and every one of us with a warm smile. By this time Lyla had returned to the table sitting down happily next to her brother Aaron. Trent thanked Zoe and gave her a tip for being kind. Then everyone dug into their meal. And as creepy as this place was. Their food was absolutely amazing! Like what kind of chiefs do they even have? Dummy chiefs? Ha! That would crack me up! I mean it would be funny to me, but not so funny to Matt. “This stuff is bussing!” Boyce cried as he chowed down on his burger. Sylvia nodded in agreement. “It’s actually good,”Matthew said as she ate her burger. Xavier seemed happy that Matt wasn’t so scared anymore.

After we all finished eating and the show had ended. We all cleaned up and Trent paid for the bill. Then we all started heading to the lobby to find the map again. “Hm..it says the arcade and play area are on the 3rd floor.” Cameron said as she looked around on the map. Trying to find the nearest set of elevators. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Aaron taking quick glances at Cameron. He was definitely crushing on my sister. Then a gasp escaped. “We forgot about Sadie!” I blurted out, remembering our German collie Sadie in the hotel room. I haven’t talked much about her because really she hasn’t done much since we got here. Sadie didn’t bark excitedly anymore and she often whined. The hotel employees also instructed us to keep our eyes on her and to not let her around any of the dummies at all.

“Shoot we did!” Matt said as she ran down the halls bolting after her. Since Matt, Xavier and I were faster then the others we made it to our room first. Yes we took the stairs, also I may be switching from Matt to Matthew. Once I unlocked the door we all found Sadie sleeping soundly on the hotel bed. Breathing calmly as she dreamed away in her doggie dreamland. Lyla let out and awe as she approached Sadie. Whom had started to awaken as we entered the room. Our scents filling her nose. “She is so cute. I never knew you guys had a dog.”

Lyla said as she hunkered beside Sadie. I chuckled a bit and pet her head gently. “Yeah, she is still a pup. About what 5 months old?” Cameron started getting Sadie’s food in a small bowl and Matthew went to fill her water bowl. Sylvia plopped down on one of the chairs near the small coffee table and let out a sigh. Trent walked over to the hotel room window and let out a small gasp.

“NO! The cars! They’re gone!”