i hired a hitman on myself // joshler [✓]

XVII

i didn't have to do much packing, all i really took were the free towels and the last can of red bull that i drink yet.

ashley was still trying to track tyler, but she and i both knew that it wouldn't help much. if he really knew everything that was going on, i don't think he would be dumb enough to let us track him.

i put my phone in my pocket and took my bags down to the elevator back down to the lobby floor. when the elevator stopped, i walked out to look back at the front desk and was immediately confused.

jenna wasn't there, but it was another woman who didn't look a thing like her. before i could leave the just kept staring at her, how could this be? she had given me the red bull not even half an hour ago.

the woman notices my glare at her and spoke up,
"is there something i can help you with, sir?" she smiled, but looked confused as well.

"uh--"
"give the key back." i heard ashley whisper from the other end of the line, loud enough for only me to hear.

"o-oh yeah!" i tried redeeming myself, "here's my room key back!" i placed by bags down and walked back over to front desk to hand back the key.

i placed the key down on the desk,
"thank you, i hope you enjoyed your stay!" she reiterated while hanging the key back up.

"no problem... i-is jenna off her shift?"
the woman looked at me strangely, "jenna?"

"yeah she has blonde hair and blue eyes..." i trailed off in hopes of my description actually making sense to her, "does that ring a bell?" i then asked her.

she shook her head, now looking at me with a lot of uncertainty,
"nobody named 'jenna' works here, i'm the only female employee." she assured me.

her response made left me frozen, but i knew there was no point in drawing attention to the situation. i simply disregarded the situation to the woman and said my goodbyes, then taking myself along with the stuff back to petes car.

i put all the stuff in the backseat except for my phone and the can of red bull, i placed the can in the cup holder and the phone on my dashboard, and i just sat there. i stared out the front window, i felt almost lifeless.

"josh?" ashley finally spoke up, breaking the deafening silence between us, "do you believe me now when i say you're not safe?"

i took a long pause before i was able to answer, "is everyone out to get me?" i sounded more shocked than scared, despite the fact that i was clearly terrified.

"it's all apart of tylers game," ashley concluded, "we just have to be... like 10 steps ahead of him and it'll
be fine." she didn't sound too confident in her own answer.

i sighed, "so what now?" clicking came from the other end of the line from her excessive typing. there was a short delay in her response,

"i'm sending the address to your phones gps for another motel," she clarified as soon as i got the notification, "you still need rest and it's super early, plus it isn't a short drive."

i was about to start the car when i realized the status of the current gas tank, "i should get some gas alone the way, mind pinpointing me an address?" i suggested.

"yeah i got," she confirmed, "let's just hurry coz i have a feeling tyler might be 10 steps ahead of us right now." ashley sounded a bit panicked.

"alright." i quickly agreed, starting my car and doubling out of the parking lot, and now making my way to yet another motel.

i knew staying in one place wasn't a good idea, but tyler already knows i'm playing him, and he was in my room. he could've easily killed me right then and there to get the job done.

so why didn't he?