Hidden Secrets (An AHS: Hotel/Tristan Duffy Fan-Fiction)

Chapter One: Checking In

I still remember the night I left my hometown. I remember running for my life, trying to escape before anyone noticed I was gone or what I had done. I packed a small bag and took off. I took the first bus out of Lakelin, Ohio and then bought a plane ticket to LA. I did everything I could to cover my tracks.

My first few nights in LA were rough. I managed to lose my wallet and I got stuck sleeping in alleyways. When I was finally able to fall asleep, I was awoken by the worst nightmares. All of them were the same. In them, I was laying on the ground with my abusive ex-boyfriend, somehow standing over me with half of his skull missing from a bullet wound. Maybe it was karma. Maybe he was haunting me. After all, I had murdered him and ran from the scene like a coward. It was self-defense, but no one would ever really care. I killed a man. That's all anyone would hear.

On my fifth night in LA, I managed to talk some people into giving me some money. I could tell they were wealthy by the way they dressed and that they were only giving me money because I asked them in front of a crowd of what looked like co-workers of theirs. Everyone knows that people want to look great and humble in front of their peers. They ended up giving me $30 while a few of their workers gave me more to make themselves look good as well. I ended up with a total of $56.

I spotted the Cortez after this encounter and even though I knew $56 was barely enough for anything, something was telling me to go in and try at least getting a room for a night. I didn't try to fight the feeling one bit. I had nothing left to lose anymore. 

I walked into the front doors and my breath was taken away by the beautiful interior of the hotel. It looked so classic, like I had took a step back into the 20's or something. After admiring it all, I continued through the lobby and made my way to the check in counter.

"Um, excuse me?" I said to the lady behind the desk who was reading a book and clearly ignoring me. "I was wandering if I could get a room for tonight."
"We're full." she said bluntly without looking up.
"Are you sure?" I continued. "I really need a room tonight... just for tonight."
She looked up and scanned me with her eyes, "Listen kid. Go back home. Your too young and too pretty to get caught up in anything this place has to offer."
"I don't have a home." I told her.
"How old are you? 17? 18? I'm sure your parents are looking for you." she responded.
"I'm 21, and my parents aren't in my life anymore." I admitted. "Please... I have no where to go. I've slept on the streets for the past few nights and I only have $56. I just need to sleep in a bed for a night, then I'll get out of your hair."
She shut her book and looked around, as if to make sure no one was around to hear her, "listen..." she leaned in. "You run while you can. You're better off on the streets than you are here."
"Please... I just need some sleep..." I pleaded.



Suddenly, the elevator across from us opened up and out stepped a guy with blue eyes and black and red hair. He glanced around and then his eyes focused on me. His lips pulled up at the ends, forming a handsome smirk. 

"What do you want Tristan?" the lady behind the counter quickly spoke up before he could speak.
"Nothing, I just got a little bored." he walked up to me. "Are you checking in?"
"Well, I was going to," I answered, "but she said all the rooms are filled."
"Come on, Iris." he grinned at the lady. "Give her the key to the room next to mine."
"Tristan..." she began.
"She's obviously exhausted and needs somewhere to rest for the night." he interrupted. "One night won't hurt."

She hesitated and gave Tristan a look of dread, but then slowly turned to get a key from the wall behind her. I started to pull my money out when Tristan stopped me and told me it was on him. I couldn't believe how nice this guy was being. It almost felt like he had an ulterior motive, but I didn't argue with his odd compassion and kindness towards me. I couldn't afford to.

The lady named Iris handed me the key. She noticed Tristan had looked away, and before I could thank her she grabbed my arm and pulled me in.




"I warned you." she stared deep into my eyes. "If you walk into that elevator with him, there's no turning back."
Tristan quickly turned around and she released her grip as his eyes narrowed at her, "Come on, I'll show you your room."




I turned and followed Tristan into the elevator, confused and a little disturbed from the look in Iris' eyes and the tone in her voice. Little did I know that she was right.

After I stepped into that elevator with Tristan, there really was no turning back.