Doors: Hotel Hell

Chapter 7 (Hide And Seek)

They all slumped against the walls, their breaths ragged, still scarred by the haunting cyan light that had filled their vision moments ago. No one spoke at first. The silence was thick, broken only by the faint flicker of the candles and their shaky, uneven breathing. Aaron sat with his head in his hands, the events replaying in his mind. Brian's scream. The pop. The blood. Every time he closed his eyes, it was there again—burned into his memory. George was still on his knees, staring at the floor, haunted.

"We should've done something... We could'v—"

"No."

Vince cut him off, voice hoarse but firm.

"There ain't nothin' we could've done. We need to push on. That crucifix... it can't be wasted, y'all."

Aaron looked at the wooden cross in his hands, the object shaking with his nerves.

"I could've saved him..."

Matt turned to him.

"And if we need it for the future? What if Rush comes back and there's nowhere to hide? What if Seek slaughters us all? What about the Figure? They're all trying to kill us. We can't waste it... It's the only thing here that isn't getting us killed."

The weight of it all hung in the air, pressing down on each of them differently. They'd lost one of their own, and the grim reality was sinking in: any one of them could be next.

Billy pulled out the map once more. His hands trembled as he unfolded it, staring at the spot marked with three question marks over Door Seventy-Five. He blinked, rubbing his eyes, before speaking in a low voice.

"The question marks... They're gone."

His eyes scanned the new text that had appeared in their place.

"Now it says... Dining Hall."

A bitter laugh escaped AJ.

"Dining Hall, huh? Service was alright if I say so..."

Aaron looked up, his expression tired but curious. He looked over to Norman.

"We should check that bag. Norman, what did you grab back there?"

Still catching his breath, Norman realized he'd been clutching the bag the entire time. Slowly, he opened it, fingers moving methodically despite the tension still buzzing under his skin. He dumped the contents onto the floor, and they all leaned in, eyes darting over the items scattered before them. It wasn't much. But it was something.

Canned food, a few granola bars, and a couple of half-empty water bottles rolled out of the bag. It wasn't a feast, but after everything, it felt like a lifeline. They'd been so afraid of dying that they had forgotten how hungry they were. Norman muttered first.

"Food... Somehow, we got lucky."

Matt reached out and picked up a granola bar, staring at it in disbelief.

"It's like this place is giving us a bone. Letting us rest just long enough before... Well, before whatever's next."

AJ grabbed one of the cans and inspected it.

"Better than nothing. We should eat now. Who knows when we'll get another chance."

No one needed to be told twice. They passed the food around, the group eating in silence. It wasn't enough to fill their stomachs, but it was enough to keep them going. Enough to remind them they were still alive. For now. AJ raised his water bottle. He spoke sarcastically.

"Cheers to our final feast!"

Ryan rubbed his broken arm and laughed weakly.

"Amen to that."