Halfway Hotel

Two

"I'm Eddie, by the way" he tells me as guides us through a maze of hallways.

"Isaiah Bradley," I reply, "pleasure to meet you."

He greets a few other guests as we walk and receives more than a few questioning glances, but Eddie doesn't stop for conversation. Bless him. Instead, he attempts to engage in some very pleasant small talk with me, but unfortunately, I am feeling something beyond overwhelmed and I'm having a hard time following his chatter. He is either unbothered by my poor responsiveness or sees that I'm freaking out and is doing his best not to draw attention to it. Either way, bless him again.

Eddie leads the way to what appears to be the event halls. What little of my brain that has not already shut down takes note that I have already gotten so turned around that I haven't the faintest idea how we got here or which direction the lobby might be. Eddie thankfully knows exactly where we are heading and I find myself grateful for his outlandish style choices, I won't be losing sight of him.

"Hey, Liz!" Eddie calls when we enter a small service hall.

I had expected the manager to be another one of the many armed keepers but thankfully this appears to be a beautiful and impeccably dressed woman. She turns in response to my guide's call and smiles in acknowledgment, quickly turning back to the circle of keepers she was addressing to set a hand on the shoulder of one before leaving the group and approaching us.

"Eddie," she greets pleasantly, "My name is Elizabeth. what can I do for you?"

"Right, sorry Lizzie!" Eddie unconvincingly apologizes as he pulls the woman into a friendly hug. "So, anyway," he moves back and waves a hand in my direction, "Lizzie, you gotta meet this guy-" Eddie squints at me, "what did you say your name was?"

"Isaiah Bradley," I supply, even though I am quite sure I told him only a few minutes ago.

The woman turns her attention to me and smiles. She's a tiny thing, dressed in a 20s era suit that would have made Coco envious. She's got a clipboard in her hands and a pen tucked behind her ear next to her perfectly sculpted waves. The name tag pinned to her chest reads:

Halfway Hotel

Elizabeth

Manager

"Nice to meet you," she greets, giving me a handshake, "my name is Elizabeth." Her smile is firmly businesslike but also genuine, like she really is pleased to welcome a new guest to her hotel.

"Yeah so, Isaac here-"

"Isaiah," she corrects, unruffled.

"Right. Anyway, he can't find his room! Can you believe that?" Eddie huffs disbelievingly.

Elizabeth eyes the man like she's waiting for the punchline. He raises his eyebrows and shrugs in my direction. She turns towards me slowly, "you couldn't find it?" she echoes, genuinely perplexed.

I smile uncomfortably and give her my best helpless little shrug.

"That is unusual," she says slowly and then clears her throat, "I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience, how long ago did you arrive?" she asks, her eyes scanning me like a difficult puzzle.

"Oh just a few-" I start and then frown, "Well, to be perfectly honest with you ma'am, I am not entirely sure. I um, seem to have arrived without my watch."

She chuckles, "Yes, the hotel can be a bit disorienting when it comes to time, you'll get a better sense for it the longer you stay. Have you been to your room before?"

"I haven't had the chance, no,"

She offers a sympathetic smile, "I am so sorry, well let's head over to the front desk and see if we can sort out the issue!"