Nowhere ✘ Five Sauce

A Night Of Fights

im sorry calum is so mean

-

"Are you sure we're going to stay here for the night?" Michael whispered apprehensively into Calum's ear, pulling the boy's sleeve gently. "I mean, maybe we can sleep in the car. I won't mind."

Calum drew back from Michael and looked at him, an incredulous and amused expression written all over his face with his palms raised. "You wouldn't, would you Mike? I mean like, you're totally not the only person I know who can't sleep if the covers aren't tucked in properly. You're totally not that person who would complain about being too hot because the air conditioning isn't-"

"Okay, okay. I get it." Michael grumbled, looking down at his feet.

"Excuse me? Hello?" Luke called out, tapping the rusty bell on the counter repeatedly. He sighed, leaning over the counter to look into the small office behind the wooden counter. "Jesus, is there even anyone in this building?" Leaning against the counter with his back against it, he looked around.

"It already looks weirdly abandoned, don't tell me there's like- AARGH!"

Luke jumped back in shock as a cold hand snaked its way onto his shoulder. He turned around in one swift moment, only to find a short man behind the counter. "Hello. I'm the manager."

"Holy shit, dude you scared me."

The manager, who seemed to be a middle-aged man laughed at Luke's reaction. "I'm sorry, I was in the bathroom, I couldn't hear you." He had a balding head with patches of grey hair, crooked teeth and what looked like a lame leg. There were too many things wrong with the man's physique the boys didn't even bother to pretend they weren't staring at him.

"Would you want a room? Or four?"

They had wanted to spend all their money on record stores in the next city and shots and tattoos and lip rings; naturally they were a tad bit hesitant on their part.

"One is enough, ay lads?" Luke said, looking over his shoulder. None of his friends responded. Calum was lost in his own world as he stared at the ceilings and the other two were talking.

The manager stared at all of them, his eyes widening and squinting. He didn't seem to stop doing so, it was a little disturbing for Luke. "One night only?" As the boy nodded, he fished a key from the rows and rows of key tags on his desk. "Enjoy the night."

"Uh, where can we get reception here?" Calum stepped forward.

"There is a gas station two miles away. It's a bit dangerous as it gets late, I've heard of cases late at night but I'd be happy to escort you there myself in the morning." The manager pointed outside to the dark horizon. "Is there something wrong? Did your car break down?"

"Well- yes actually. How did you know?"

"Cars always seem to break down around this area."

"Don't you find that a bit, odd?" Ashton piped up from the back after staying quiet. He had been having a serious whispered conversation near the entrance with Michael. "Like, brand new cars just... they just- break down?"

"I suppose it is." The manager nodded, finding nothing wrong with such a question. "Now, enough of this. Why don't you all check your room and get a good night's rest? Before you know it, the sun has already risen and you can make your way on the road."

The boys made their way out through the side of the entrance. Their surroundings were dark now and nothing could be seen. All four turned in synchronized movements sideways towards the rooms. The rooms were grouped in blocks, each block having five rooms, the red doors lined along the wall.