Music Speaks

Hotel California

I watched silently from the windows as a sleek black car pulled up the drive to the Hotel California, where I worked. A young man stumbled out of the car, clearly exhausted from a long day's travel.

"Hello, sir. Would you like to check in for the night?" I asked. My voice came out raspy from being in the smoke filled hotel for so long.

"Yes, please. Just one night," the man replied. He glanced up at me as he spoke and I saw the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen in my whole 23 years of existence. His dirty blonde hair fell into his eyes, making him look younger than he probably was.

"Your room is 4B. Just go down that hall to the right," I pointed to my left to show him the way. It wasn't the way to his room, of course. It was the way I showed everyone who came here.

You see, people never leave the Hotel California. They always check in for just a night, just to sleep before continuing their long journeys. But time moves weird here. It always seems as though you've only been here an hour when really it's been days or weeks. The only reason I could leave was because I worked here.

I watched as the blonde haired man ambled down the hall. I took the check he gave me to pay for the room. His name was Donovan. What a nice name. I didn't want him to be stuck here, he seems like such a wonderful person. But then again, all people who come here do.

I gasped as I saw someone walk down the hall towards me. It was Donovan. No one was able to come out of that room. The toxins they pumped into the air made sure of that. But there he was, standing right in front of my receptionist's desk.

"Miss, I do believe I never got your name," he slurred, obviously feeling the effects of exhaustion and the toxins.

"Chloe, sir. Did you need anything else?" I asked, still surprised. He smiled at me, and my heart almost exploded.

"No, miss. I just ask that you show me where my actual room is," he replied. I felt so guilty, so ashamed of what I had done to all these innocent people. Outside in the pool area I saw Kennedy and her boy toys dancing with colorful drinks in their hands.

My spirit broke, and I allowed one single tear to flow down my cheek. I explained everything to Donovan. He deserved to know what I had done to him.

I thought he would become angry and leave. However, he came behind my desk and pulled me into a right embrace. It felt so right; I didn't want to leave.

"You have nothing to be sorry about."

~Parker~