Midnight Survivor

Chapter 3: Midnight

I hadn't felt like I had been asleep for very long at all when I could hear the annoying buzzing of the alarm beside my ear. I rolled over groggily and grabbed a hold of the clock, hitting the button to shut it off. But it kept buzzing. 

I cursed under my breath and threw the clock over onto the bedside table. I couldn't sleep with this thing constantly going off. I grabbed my sweater that was slung over the headboard, wrapped it around my shoulders and opened the door quietly. 

I didn't expect anyone to be awake but maybe Elisa would be down stairs near reception, she could probably fix the damn clock for me. I shifted my way through the halls, placing my hand along the wall to guide my way, the only light I had was the moon gleaming in through the partially opened windows. 

I fumbled my way down the main stairs and walked over to the desk, hitting the bell gently since Elisa was no where to be found. I waited, but no one answered. With a sigh I turned to leave when the creak of the back room door sounded behind me. 

"Alannah! What are you doing out of bed??"

I turned around to see Elisa in a white lace night gown, her hair in two braids resting perfectly on her shoulders, but her eyes seemed wide with fear. I looked at her confused, "My alarm is broken, it keeps ringing and I can't sleep. I was hoping you could fix it."

Elisa nodded quickly and rushed over, grabbing my hand and leading me towards the stairs, "Yes yes but did no one tell you?"

I kept quiet as she pushed me up the stairs and around a few corners. She let out a loud sigh and started to pick up the pace as we closed into my room. Elisa shoved me in hurriedly and shut the door quickly behind her, letting out a breath of relief, "Alannah, you can't leave your room past midnight okay?"

I shook my head slightly confused, "Elisa I don't understand, why is it such a big deal if I leave my room?"

Elisa sighed and sat herself down next to me on the bed. I could see the concerned look in her eyes and could tell that something was seriously wrong. She placed her hand on mine, "The hotel...changes a bit at night. Nothing major. Just we recommend guests to keep to their rooms between the hours of midnight and sunrise. "

"So the workers get a little rowdy or something?"

Elisa smiled a bit, "You could say that. Midnight is the reason I stay here. It's kind of like the workers party time. When the guests sleep we come out to play."

I nodded, "So why is it such a big deal if a guest leaves their room?"

Elisa shook her head, "Just don't question it okay? Stay here, go back to sleep and what the hell is that persistent ringing??"

I laughed and grabbed the clock, "This, it was set for midnight and won't shut off."

Elisa looked at it and then with wide eyes looked around the room. She stood up quickly, grabbing the clock from my hands and rushing to the window, opening it and slamming the clock downwards as hard as she could so it fell to the hard concrete below. 

She turned around quickly and shook her head, "Alannah, do NOT leave this room you understand me? I don't care what noises you hear, what alarm goes off. If you need something you wait until sunrise or you try to get a hold of me. No one else. Are we clear?"

"Elisa I don't..."

Elisa grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me gently, "You don't have to understand, you just have to listen to me." 

As she looked into my eyes I could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. Her hands had a tight grip on me as she leaned in closer, "Do not leave this room. Come see me in the morning okay?"