Chapter 4 - Blankets

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"Do you see these towels?" Sarah's voice broke through the steady hum of the machines, drawing my attention to the gruesome sight before us.

I glanced down and recoiled at the sight of the blood-stained towels scattered across the floor. Each one seemed to tell a silent, haunting story of its own.

"What the..." I trailed off, at a loss for words as I took in the unsettling scene.

"Gross, I'm gonna have to trash all of these," Sarah declared, her voice tinged with disgust.

"I'll help," I offered without hesitation, knowing that this was a task that couldn't be avoided.

Together, we disposed of the bloodied towels, Sarah's words lingering in the air.

"Should we call the police?" she suggested hesitantly.

"It's not like we know which room it came from. Hell, knowing those pigs, we might be the ones to end up in cuffs," I replied with a sigh, feeling a sense of frustration at the situation.

After disposing of the tainted towels, we opened new boxes and began setting up the empty rooms.

Returning to the front desk, I heard the man from earlier call my name.

"Y/N, can you help me?" he requested.

I approached him, feeling a strange sensation like someone was watching me from behind.

"How can I help you?" I inquired, turning to face him.

"Luka," he introduced himself. His voice was rough, almost like he wasn't use to talking.

"Okay, Luka, how can I assist you?" I responded, maintaining a professional demeanor despite the unease stirring within me.

"Old fashioned," Luka requested, his voice carrying a hint of authority as he leaned against the counter.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I don't really know how to make alcoholic drinks, but Jed can," I responded politely, nodding towards the bartender.

Luka's intense gaze remained fixed on me. "No, you," he insisted, his eyes penetrating, almost demanding.

I felt a slight unease creep over me under his unwavering stare. Attempting to diffuse the tension, I chuckled nervously. "I mean, I can, but it might not taste great," I offered with a weak smile, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Fine," Luka finally relented, his expression unreadable as he continued to watch me closely.

I prepared the drink to his specifications and handed it over. Luka accepted it without a word, swiftly tilting it back and muttering something indistinct.

Returning to my post behind the desk, I completed my shift before heading home. Arriving at my modest studio apartment, I carefully stowed away the money Luka had given me into my savings canister.

A persistent cough nagged at me, growing more pronounced with each passing day. Ignoring it, I turned on the heat, grateful for the warmth spreading through the small space. Tomorrow marked the first day off I'd had in ages, and I resolved to make the most of it by replenishing my essentials and perhaps treating myself to some new clothes.

The following day, I ventured to the mall, spending the morning browsing through racks of winter attire and stocking up on necessities. The weight of the money Luka had given me lingered in the back of my mind, leaving a bitter aftertaste as I made my purchases.

As I perused the clothing racks, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to revamp my hairstyle. My current 'do felt lackluster, and I was determined to inject some vitality into my appearance. Picking up a few hair supplies, I continued my shopping spree, ensuring my pantry was fully stocked before heading home.

Arriving back at my apartment laden with bags, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer volume of purchases I'd accumulated—a rare indulgence for someone accustomed to making ends meet on a tight budget.

Once I finished my shopping spree, I returned home and embarked on a thorough overhaul of my wardrobe. It wasn't that I had replaced everything with newer, better items; rather, my old clothes had become worn and weathered over time, prompting their disposal.

With my living space now tidied and reorganized, I took some time to relax, reclining on the couch and attempting to unwind. The following day dawned bright and clear, and I eagerly donned my roller skates along with a fresh new jacket.

"Finally, you got a jacket and some new clothes," Sarah remarked with a grin as I arrived at work. "I thought for a moment I would have to fight you for it."

"Yeah, I finally got some new stuff. Oh, I even got a phone," I replied excitedly, brandishing my new device.

"Oh, I'm so proud," Sarah exclaimed, taking the opportunity to add her number to my contacts.

After catching up with Sam at the hotel, he couldn't help but comment on my improved appearance. "You look so much better. If I knew all it took was new clothes to make you look this good, I would have thrown my check at you months ago," he teased.

I laughed, but my amusement was cut short by a sudden bout of coughing. Concern flickered in Sam's eyes as he asked, "Hey, hey, are you okay?"

"I-I think so," I managed to reply between coughs.

"Hey, I'll cover your shift for today. I think you should head home and rest," Sam suggested, his tone firm with concern.

Taking his advice, I made my way to the manager's office, a space seldom visited unless there was a complaint or an issue with payroll.

I stepped into Miss Petrov's office, my request poised on my lips. "Miss Petrov, can I have Sam take over my shift today?" I asked, hoping for a brief reprieve from my duties.

She glanced up from her paperwork and let out a dismissive scoff. "You're fine. The night shift is always slow," she replied brusquely, brushing off my concerns with a wave of her hand.

Feeling a sense of frustration rise within me, I persisted. "But I've been feeling under the weather lately. I think I could really use a break," I explained, hoping she would understand.

Miss Petrov's expression hardened, her tone growing stern. "I'm sorry, but we need all hands on deck. If you can't fulfill your duties, then you'll be let go. And don't forget, your apartment is contingent on your employment here," she reminded me sharply, her words leaving little room for argument.

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