Hotel of Horrors [FANGAN]

PROLOGUE

I groaned, head heavy. It felt like I had been beaten over my head, and I couldn't tell if it was a migraine or if my nap was that deep. I sat up, running a hand through my tangled hair. I was ready to set up in my dorm, ready to start my work, ready to become the best paleontologist to be.

Wait... when did I arrive at Hope's Peak?

I looked around. This didn't look like a dorm at all. And if it was, this wasn't a super friendly looking one. My window was locked shut, planks of wood hiding me from the outside world. I could hear rain beating the panes, but I couldn't see it, and the shade made the room look so dark. I threw my legs over the side, then dragged my feet across the carpet to a light switch. I flicked it on, squinting to adjust to the light.

If this is a dorm, it sure is a weird one, and not at all like I imagined.

There was a single bed, white sheets folded up to four fluffed pillows. A lacy, red drapery lay across the white sheet. On the nightstand sat a digital alarm clock. I walked over to it, and went to turn it on, but it didn't light up, or even give any sign of working at all. I looked behind the nightstand, but saw it was already plugged in, so that wasn't the issue. I pouted, then drew my attention to a bottle of water. I ignored it for now, then continued on my search around the room.

There was a television mounted on the wall. I looked around for a remote, but couldn't find one. After looking everywhere I thought to - in the bed, in the drawers of the nightstand and dresser, under the bed - and failing there, I tried to turn it on manually. Maybe if I turned it on I could figure out where I was, if this was Hope's Peak, maybe student announcements would be on.

Nothing.

What's going on?

I continued down the hall, making a mental note of the bathroom. This was a studio-sized room.

Is this... a hotel room? When did I get here? Did mom check me in?

I found a black duffel bag by the door. There was a tag on it, and it simply read my name, "Kohaku Ohkada". I knelt down, then opened it. Inside were some clothes, and a paper folded on top.

These were in boxes. Why are these out? Where are the rest of my things?

Many emotions filled me, anger, panic, anxiety, grief. I had my comfort plushies in there, my toiletries, everything. And all I have now to fend for myself with is a small selection of clothes and this note. I knew what this was, it was a note from my mother, telling me she was proud of me.

But she gave me more. I had more with me when I left her.

Where was it?

I dropped the bag and huffed, then tried to suck in a deep breath. It was best not to be overwhelmed now. I could always ask the hotel staff later, assuming that's where I was, where the rest of my things were, and maybe figure out why someone was going through my stuff.

I made my way back to the bed, then something caught my eye. Under the television was another note. It looked like it had been taken from the complimentary notepad that sat on the desk directly in front of the bed.

"Good morning,

"Please meet in the lobby at exactly 11:15pm sharp. Lateness isn't tolerated and is punished. This meeting is mandatory. You are in room 201 now. You may leave your belongings in your room. This room will not be accessed by anyone.

"Can't wait to meet you."

I had no way of telling what the time was. The digital clock still wasn't turning on, and neither would the TV. I had better chances of going downstairs and asking someone in the lobby. So I gathered myself, took another deep breath, then headed out the door, taking a mental note to check the room number and making sure it matched what the note said, and making sure to grab a key by the coffee maker near the door.

I made my way down the hall, then clicked open the elevator. Just as the door closed, I heard footsteps jogging. I held out my hand to keep the door from closing, and a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes poked her head in.

"Sorry," she said softly, "are you going down to the lobby?"

I nodded, and made room for her to join me. She smiled warmly at me, then pressed herself against the furthest wall of the elevator. I watched as the doors closed, then held on to the railing as we moved down. With a soft ding, the elevator door opened, to reveal a group of people sitting around the lobby. I glanced up at a clock, which read 11:12.

Just in time...

I left the girl, who went to join the group of people talking in the lobby, and made my way to the desk. I wanted to ask if my things were still here, or where exactly I was. I approached the empty desk, and tapped on the wood with my fingernails. I took a second to stare at the glaze and the markings on the surface, then realized no one had come to me. I rang a small bell I found to the side, and waited.

But nothing. No call, no voice at all.

And at that moment, I heard a crash. It came from the group I saw when I came down the elevator. I turned to see what it was, and my eyes fell on the clock.

11:15.

I trotted over, assuming this was the meeting I was supposed to attend, and sat in one of the plush chairs sat in a common area.

On the table sat a black and white stuffed bear. Unmoving, just staring at all of us.

"Welcome, students of Hope's Peak," a voice boomed, from speakers I couldn't see. "Welcome to your accommodations."