Is This Smart? (Under editing and revising)

Chapter 13

The tears are nearly spilling over my eyelids, "Jenn, what in the world is going on!? I thought this wasn't going to happen again: you promised!"

Placing her hand on my shoulder, Maggie continues, "Yeah and you told me this in the past too." I look at Maggie's eyes; no tears. But, she look mad.

Frustrated, Jennifer begins to reply, "Well-- How am I supposed to know this would happen? I don't know everything, do I?!"

Both, Maggie and myself, shake our heads and look down at the gray concrete that changes to the plush, thick, patterned carpets. We go back to the lobby with the other guest.

Everyone is huddled into groups, so we all just stick together near the desk. Soon Jennifer moves forward. We all begin to follow, then she turns on us, "Stay here." She instructs. We all watch as she approaches a small, frightened looking family. The mother is frantically looking around. The father, has a shocked expression plastered across his face, while he tries to comfort his family. And finally the little boy. He is sitting on the floor, his ruffled blonde curls trembling slightly. His chubby cheeks are a deep pink color and his bright blue eyes are filled with tears. He has dinosaur pajamas on. He looks very familiar. He looks almost identical to someone I knew back home.

When I was little, a boy in my preschool class, who's name was Peter, always had a dinosaur on his clothes. We played together nicely and our parents were friends. Since I am an only child, he was like the older brother I never had. He was my best friend. We enjoyed being in the kitchen whenever his father was baking cookies or bread because he let us make little shapes out of the extra dough. We always have the greatest time. That is, until, the accident. It was four years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. We were fourteen. That day we had decided to climb the huge tree in his backyard. It was my idea, I'd done it before. We were laughing and swinging like monkeys from the branches. I was one branch ahead and above him. He slide down below the branch and hung beneath it. After swinging back and fourth a few times, his hands released the branch and grab hold of the next one. But the branch broke. We were using the bottom branches, but it was still a long fall. Maybe six or seven feet. I jumped down from my branch after screaming his name. I heard the impact of his body on the hard packed earth, followed by the klunk of the branch. I land on my feet and take off running to him. The branch landed on the bottom half of his body. With all my strength and will power I shoved the branch off; then I let out a screech. The bone of his knee is sticking out. I crawl over to his face and see that his eyes are closed. Then I think to myself, "He's dead. I killed him." Tears pour out of my eyes. I didn't want to leave him, but I had to. As fast as I could, I ran inside; shouting for his mother. She followed me out to the tree, while calling an ambulance. At the hospital, we found out that he definitely broke a few bones in his right leg, had a major concussion and he needed staples in his skull. I cried myself to sleep for the next two weeks. After that, I never wanted to play with him anymore. I was afraid of hurting him again. But, eventually, his bones healed, and he got over his concussion. Ever since he has been like a big brother to me. I'm still scared of hurting him, so we just hangout, we never play sports or anything. Because of me, he wasn't able to play football ever again. The doctor said if he gets another concussion, he most likely won't make it. I've never gotten over that feeling. It still sit somewhere inside me. But we both of us grew up together and we're still great friends. Peter is very protective of me. I get treated like his little sister. And I love it. Having a 'big brother' isn't all that bad.

I look up to see my friends waving their hands in my face. Jennifer is walking the opposite way, towards the stairs. I take a step toward her but Maggie leads me away and to a chair. I drop my bag down and dig for my phone. In the midst of all this hustle, I realize it's three in the morning. Despite that, I decided to text Jordan.

To: Jordan
From: Chelsea
Hey! Sorry to bother you so early, but could you come to the hotel?
Something weird is going on, and I'm super freaked...
Thanks!

I scroll through my social media when I see a notification pop up. I'm sort of surprised at how soon I receive a text back.

To: Chelsea
From: Jordan
Calm down. Everything is going to be fine.
I'm on my way, probably about five minutes.
Just stay calm, okay?

I quickly type up a reply and search for the emoji I want. Then, I hit send. Minutes later, Jordan runs in from the huge double doors. When he see me, he smile and moves toward us while sliding his arms into his jacket. Plopping down next to me, Jordan breathlessly asks, "What's up? Are you okay?"

Honestly, I answer, "Well, yes and no. It's a really long story. And, I'm not really supposed to talk about it. But, anyway, we woke up to someone screaming on our floor. Then we went to the security room, you know, that one with all the cameras and screens?"

He nods and listens patiently while I continue, "So, yeah. Colin took us back there, cause Jennifer is, ummm, really good at, ummm, investigating? And she thought she might have some answers. Anyway, we saw a ghosty thing float out of a room and down the hall."

He grabs my left hand, which is clenched into a fist so tight, my nuckles are white my my fingers are cold. Then, he places his other hand on my shoulder, "Listen to me, Chelsea. I won't let anything happen to you, or your friends. Okay? I really like you, so I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Calm down, you're shaking, poor thing."

He slides off his black, white and gray leather jackets and wraps it around my shoulders, then buttons it up.

He continues, "Chelsea, it's going to be fine, okay? I won't let any of your nightmares come true. I'll protect you. And if we get separated in this mess, I'll find you. I'll always find you."
Just then, the light in the lobby and café flicker. When they go off, they don't come back on. Not just yet.