Is This Safe?

Chapter 7

"I don't understand."

Colin looks at his computer screen again then at me.
"Are you for sure someone was there because the hotel records are not telling me that someone is rooming there at present?"

I was for sure it was room 209 since I was watching it ever since I got here. I even had the key to the room! Why all of a sudden were there strange incident's occurring?
This couldn't happen again. It couldn't! It'd drive my friends mad again and this time, maybe permanently. I made a promise before we even left on this trip that I would protect them if this happened again.
Let's not encourage it.

"Jennifer?" Colin asks me.

"Yes?" I woke up out of my deep daze.

"Are you for sure because if you are, then I'll have to call security and let them know there are guests inside when there shouldn't be."

He was going to call security!

Oh, no. I couldn't let this happen. Another investigation would arise and hey, what if I was wrong? What if I started something out of nothing? What if it was just some kids pulling some kind of prank?
Well, what about the strange noises in the stairwell? Or why wasn't the elevator working as it should? Or why was room 209's key lying in plain sight in front of its door. It was as if it wanted to be found. Well, I found it. Was that a coincidence or mainly just chance?

"Maybe it wasn't room 209."
I answer softly. I watch as Colin lowers the phone that he was about to dial on.
"You know, 7's and 9's look awfully alike."

Colin showed no emotion as he nodded his head,
"They do, I'll agree with you on that."

"I saw some kids in that room too so maybe they were pulling some kind of prank on me."

Colin thought quietly to himself before setting the phone completely down.
"That seems logical to me."
He types in some keys on the computer before nodding his head.
"Yes, there is a family in that room. Two parents and their two kids. Twins, actually."

"Yeah, sorry, I think it was room 207."
I tried to act as innocent as possible.

Colin just nodded his head yet again,
"It's all right. We all make mistakes some time or another."

"Sorry again."
I lower my head just a bit. I hated lying, but I needed more proof!

"It's all right, no worries."
Colin assures me before glancing up at the clock beside him,
"Well, my shift doesn't end until 5 in the morning so I have a lot of time by myself unless you still want someone to talk to."

"Wow, you have the night shift?"
I ask while crossing my legs.

"Yes, well, it's the easiest except making sure nothing strange occurs. Or if I fall asleep, but the coffee usually keeps me awake though."

I smiled,
"Well, I really think I should head back to my room though I'm not really tired. I will be in the morning when my friends wake me up at the crack of dawn."

Colin just gave me a smile,
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow evening then if you decide to take another nightly stroll."

"Well, I'm not planning on it, but you never know."
I smile back before walking back up to the elevator.

"Please work."
I mumble before pressing it. I really didn't want to take the stairs again. Who knows what or who could be lurking up there.
Almost at an instant, the elevator dings as the doors open.
"Hallelujah."
I breathe a sigh of relief as I wait for the second floor. Upon reaching it, I walk down the cool hallway again while tugging the sleeves of my jacket to cover my hands.

Why did the hallway have to be so narrow? Glancing at room 209 quickly, I knew it was 209 and not 207. It was a good cover story though.
The door as I had hoped was shut. Staring at it briefly, I walked passed hurriedly before entering our room. The room was still dark and everyone else was still sound asleep and Maggie or whoever, was still snoring. Crawling back to bed, I lifted the covers over my head so I could see nothing except pure darkness. I wonder if my friends even noticed I was gone?

***

"Jenn, can you grab me some butter, please?"

Of all mornings to talk the most, my friends had to choose this particular morning. They hadn't noticed I was gone for a part of the night or maybe they did and decided to keep it to themselves. Who knows?

"Yeah, sure."

I got up from my seat rather groggily while I fumbled through different packages.
Jelly. Jam. Butter. Aha! Here was the butter! Oh, wait--I might need some more peanut butter for my waffles. Grabbing a couple, I take them back to my seat next to Ann. Ann had nicely made me some waffles with the waffle maker since Chelsea was having troubles with the pancake machine. Spreading the peanut butter all around with a plastic knife, I spread the syrup all over so it was literally drenched. Just the way I like it.

"You have enough on there?"
All of my friends ask me while giving me hard stares.

I just smirked,
"You can never have too much."
Smiling thoughtfully, I took a bite of my delicious breakfast. This brought back so many memories especially one in particular, but--we won't go into that.

"So what are we going to do today?"
Maggie asks to no one in particular again.

"How about we just look around the scenery?" Ann suggested.

"And take pictures?"
I add. "I brought my camera along too. I'll try not to slow you guys down again."
I remember taking pictures of everything even to the tiniest detail of a tree, leaf, or part of the sky.

Chelsea chuckled,
"Yeah, then we could make a scrapbook or something when we get back home."

We all agreed in unison.
"Sounds like a plan."
I say before taking yet another bite of waffle goodness.

Maybe today was going to be a good day after all.