HOTEL FANTASTICO: Lutei contra um minotauro do OLIMPO.

I fought against a MINOTAUR OF OLYMPUS.

I fought against a MINOTAUR OF OLYMPUS.

You won’t believe the story I’m about to tell. Actually, no one believes it. But I swear it happened! When I was 12 years old, my family was traveling to Fernando de Noronha to celebrate my sister Alice's birthday. But my dad’s car decided to break down in the middle of nowhere.

— I can’t believe it, honey! You should have fixed this car! — my mom complained, already irritated, as usual.

— But I did fix it! I don’t know what happened — my dad replied, hitting the steering wheel, as if that would solve the problem.

My sister Alice, who was turning 13, was in the backseat, listening to rock music on her headphones, completely oblivious to the family drama. Typical of her.

We got out of the car to try to get a cell signal and call for help. It was already getting dark, and according to the weather forecast, it was going to be a cold night. It was Thursday, and we’d been on the road since 4 a.m., leaving from Goiânia. We were exhausted.

My dad tried tinkering with the engine, but it was useless. After a while, a strange man appeared. He had deep-set eyes, a shiny bald head, and a way of walking that made it look like he was gliding instead of walking.

He slithers like a snail, I thought.

— Good evening, Doctor Ricardo — he said to my dad. — You were the one who called, right? Sorry for the delay. It's complicated getting here. What’s wrong with the car?

They talked for a few minutes, and the man decided that the car would need to be towed. He wouldn’t be able to return it until the next day, around noon.

— Mom, I’m hungry — Alice complained. Up until that moment, she hadn’t said a word, and the first thing out of her mouth was "hungry." Classic.

— There’s a hotel just up ahead — the man pointed to a dirt road. — You can spend the night there. But one warning: once you enter the rooms, don’t go out after 7 p.m. Strange things happen.

Of course, I got curious and asked:

— Why?

— The hotel is called “Fantástico” for a reason. At night, mysterious things happen there.

— Is there food? — Alice interrupted, not caring at all about the ominous warning.

— Yes, there is. But remember, stay in your rooms! Tomorrow, I’ll bring the car.

The man left, leaving us alone on the road with scattered luggage and a bad feeling. My mom, slightly nervous, decided we had no other option but to go to the weird hotel. "Hotel Fantástico" was its name.

As we got closer, I saw that the hotel was three stories high, painted blue and white, and decorated with strange images: mythological creatures, Nordic and Greek gods. In the parking lot, barely any cars. An uncomfortable silence.

My mom was pulling her suitcase, muttering something about needing a bath. My dad stayed quiet, knowing that any comment could worsen her mood. Alice was still on her phone, pretending she wasn’t there.

I was hungry and a little scared, but exhaustion won out. We entered the hotel, and the first thing I saw was a giant image of Medusa. Snakes were coming out of her head, and she was mounted on a creature that looked like a cow with eight legs. Great. Fantastic first impression.

My mom rang the bell several times. No one appeared.

— Great! No one’s here! — Alice complained, crossing her arms.

I was fixated on the image of Medusa, and I swear I saw the snakes move. Either I was delirious from exhaustion, or that place was really strange.

— Lucas? Lucas?! — my mom called, snapping me out of the trance. — Go outside and see if you can find any staff!