Madison Montgomery. From what Queenie has told me, she's awful and probably deserves whatever her personal hell is. I didn't expect it to be working at a department store. Though, as someone who has worked in retail, I get it.
"It doesn't seem like an actual hell, there's no fire or whatever..." I mumble while looking at the shelves.
"It's a department store, but it's a real hell, so don't get lost." Langdon warns ominously.
"Please," I roll my eyes trying to act confident. "I used to get summer and after school jobs at this retail store, so not only have I been to hell, but I was assistant manager there."
This seems to amuse him. He's smiling, but he's trying not to laugh. "Not the same thing."
"I know it seems like I'm exaggerating, but until you spend an hour with a middle age, suburban mom complaining to you about how the dress she bought didn't make her ex-husband fall in love with her again, you can't talk to me."
He doesn't say anything for a second. "That didn't happen."
"Oh, it definitely did." I retort.
"What did you do?" He asks.
"She was trying to return it but the tag was off and she didn't have a receipt. So I couldn't take it back, but she was all like 'my ex-husband didn't fall in love with me again.' So I did the only thing I could do. I just kept saying, 'I'm sorry to hear that, ma'am, in my customer service voice." I laugh about it now.
Langdon finally laughs. It's a lighter sound than I expected, but natural. I tell my head to stop thinking about how attractive he is. He's a stranger that can get into hell, break ghosts out of cursed hotels, and I know nothing about him.
He takes a moment to look over his shoulder at Queenie, she's near us, but she's looking around for Madison. Langdon takes my hand—for the second time today—and leads me to the side. I have no idea why.
"What's going on Langdon?" I question.
Even though we've stopped walking, he hasn't let go of my hand. "...Michael."
"What?"
"That's my first name," he mumbles quietly. "Call me Michael."
"Okay, Michael."
"Guys!" Queenie runs up to us.
I take a few steps away from Michael, feeling embarrassed, even though we haven't done anything. I start to move my hand away, but Michael hasn't let go.
"I think I found Madison." Queenie tells us.
"Cool." I tell her. "Let's go."
I almost get away. Queenie notices our hands, I see the glance she gives us. I let go of Michael's hand so that I can catch up with Queenie.
