Short Horror Stories

Smiles and Games

Vacations are supposed to be fun, right? So why did this one become such a nightmare?

Me and my family; mom, dad, my sister and younger brother; went on vacation and stopped at a hotel in Vancouver. This hotel was amazing. It had a massive arcade and a pool. Pretty much everything anyone would ever want. For me and my siblings, it was heaven. For my parents, it was a nice distraction.

We spent a few days in this hotel. Then the days began to blur. I began noticing... strange things. For one, my parents didn't seem worried about getting home. For another, my siblings were running wild, and my parents seemed unbothered. It wasn't a surprise to me, of course. If you are an older sibling, you know, after a while, you get used to being the only 'sane' person around.

These seem like small issues, right? Trust me. I told myself that, too. Don't lie to yourself like I did.

It was day five of staying in this hotel when I began noticing stranger things happening. As I passed a corner, I would see a person smiling at me. Not a friendly smile, but a smile so long and wide it would seem as if the persons face would rip open. But if I were to turn around again, they would be back to normal.

This was not the only thing, though. If you go into the arcade (which I recommend you don't), you will notice the games draw you in with their bright flashing lights and fun. Don't play them. Day six of being there, and I noticed the whole room change for a second, revealing a dark room and the lights on the games flashing. The smiles are in every corner now. Smiles and games. That's how they keep you there.

If you ever come to this hotel, don't check in. Turn around and leave. If you check in the first place they lead you is the arcade. Don't play the games.

You can't leave once you play.

I should know... I've been here for at least a century.