Mirrored Exile (HS)

three

chapter three - afraid

tw: this chapter contains violence

Lucy Caddel

My head throbs as I wake up in a pool of sweat under the bed cover. The room was hot, the air conditioner must've been turned off. I had black cargo shorts and a fitted white scoop-neck shirt on that was mostly covered by a navy jacket. I searched the room for Harry who was at the desk when I fell asleep.

He wasn't there.

I got up, my vision blacking for a second before I wobbled to the bathroom and peeked inside. Still no Harry. I wander over to his desk. The room only being lit by the stove light. A piece of paper catches my eye as I lean closer to see what it says.

Just downstairs picking up something. Dial this number with my spare phone that I left on the table (128 EDH) if there are any issues. I'll be back soon. - H

I pick up the hotel room phone and a pen. Writing down the number as small as I can on my thumb. 128 334.

I press my finger on the ink. I lift it and see a small black smudge. He mustn't have left long ago because the ink hasn't fully dried yet.

The warmth of this room is making me sweaty so I navigate the temperate control panel. It's on the wall near the front door. The panel is blacked out though. I attempt to press the power button but there's no sign of power.

I wander back to the kitchen and see that the stove light has now turned off. Has someone cut off the power?

Just then, the phone Harry left on the desk begins to ring. I run over and pick it up. The caller ID is unknown, we all know how that ended up last time so I declined it. I set the phone down and pause for a moment before it buzzes again. This time it's a message.

'It's Harry.'

A flush of relief rushes over me as he rings me again. I pick it up.

"Are you still in your room?" He says frantically.

"Y-yes, why Harry? What's wrong?" I sense sorry in his voice.

"Thank god," He exhales. "Stay there and don't mov—."

He's cut off by three loud knocks on my door. My heart begins to thud against my chest.

"Harry, what's going on? You're scaring me." I whisper with three more bangs on the door.

"Fuck, they cut the power." He yells into the phone. "Don't answer the door, I'm on my way."

Another three bangs on the door. "Harry who is 'they?' Are they the people at my door?"

"Find a spot to hide, I promise I'll be there in a few minutes. I have to find another stairway to go up."

"Okay." I sat quietly before going to press the hang-up button.

"No, don't hang up." He instantly fires back, detecting my initial idea. "Stay on call, I have to know that you're safe."

My heart shakes as it goes quiet, the person has stopped bashing the door. Clutching the necklace on my neck, I make my way over to the bathroom and lock it from the inside. Pulling it shut but not going inside the bathroom, with the idea that it may stall the person a bit, assuming they are here to kill me or whatever.