The Altercations with 24

A Run Down Hotel and Patricia

A little after midnight, Casey and Dennis pulled into a run down hotel. "We're staying her for the night." Dennis informed her before getting out of the car.

Casey followed him out and took a second glance at the hotel. It was a small, faded blue, hotel that looked cheap and disgusting. Dennis pulled two bags out of the car and began to walk towards the hotel.

The two were a few feet away from the car when Dennis stopped completely. Casey stopped next to him and tried to make out his face in the dim light.

"Shut up, Hedwig. I need to stay in the light." She could see the changes between the two personalities jump quickly between each other as they argued. She tried to jump in, but they changed too quickly.

"Come on, Hedwig. I'll sing you a lullaby. You like it when I do that, don't you?" Patricia's voice jumped in between the two.

"I'm bored! No one wants to talk to me!" Hedwig whined.

"Go away, Hedwig. Or the Beast will be angry with you." Dennis threatened.

"Hedwig-" Casey started, but was cut off.

"Don't threaten the boy, Dennis." Patricia snapped.

"Just stay quiet for a little while longer, boy. We're almost there." Dennis snapped at them both before walking again. Casey stood there stunned for a moment before running to catch up. He opened the door to the office and they stepped inside.

The office matched the ugly outside. It was grey and dull with a dirty man behind the desk. He looked up at them and stood up straight. "Can I help you?" He asked. Dennis walked up to the counter.

"We need a room." He said in a cold, harsh tone. Casey could tell Dennis was in a worse mood than usual. The office was dirty and no doubt this made him uncomfortable. The man looked between Dennis and Casey and gave her a wicked smile.

"Just one bed?" He asked. Dennis's head twitched, which Casey knew meant another personality was going to come out. Casey put a hand on his shoulder and stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

"Go outside. I got this." He put a hand to his head. She could see he was sweating.

"Okay." Dennis told her. He handed her the money and walked out of the office.

The office man watched Dennis leave and looked back at her. "Everything okay?" He asked. Casey nodded.

"Two beds, please." She told him. The man leaned so close that she could smell his rotten breath. His greasy brown hair fell in his face and almost touched her forehead.

"You sure about that?" Casey leaned back.

"Yes, I'm sure." She felt completely uncomfortable, but tried not to show it. He moved back and gave her a price. She paid him and waited for the key.

He dangled them in front of her and just as she was going to take them, he grabbed her right wrist. His grip was too hard for her to pull away. She kept her mouth shut and looked him in the eye. "If you want company tonight, you know where to find me." He hissed at her. He licked his lips before letting her go. She grabbed the keys and dashed out of there. Casey felt goosebumps all over her body. She knew there was no way she was going to sleep tonight.