What we found in the space between

Chapter 18

I arrived in Vina Valley some hours later, completely tired out from the long drive I had just taken to get here. Night time was already falling upon me as I searched for a hotel or inn to stay in for the next few days. It was surprising quiet for a town of about 16,ooo people, as I drove around town, looking out of my car window to see if I could spot a hotel sign anywhere.

Finally, I found one after driving around for about a few minutes and parked in the small parking lot just out of the place where I would be staying, 'Marsha's Inn'.

The inn was a two story building with white paint and had that fairy tale book style to it on the outside.
It definitely had a charming appeal to it, that's for sure.

I walked into the inn and up to the front desk. No one was there so I rang the little bell sitting on the counter and waited for whoever ran the place to show up.

I waited for a few minutes before an elderly woman dressed in a cat shirt with a white jacket over it and blue jeans, walked out from the back room and up to the front desk.

Her white hair was tied in a long ponytail and was bending over a little probably due to a bad back.

"Sorry for the wait, dear. Was busy going over some things we had in the back room that it took me a while to finish." She said in a calm and sweet voice.

"It's fine. Can I have a room here for a few days? I am sightseeing and seeing what Vina Valley has to offer." I said.

While sightseeing wasn't my main objective here, in a way I was because of the fact that I would have to travel around the town a lot.

"Of course. Just sign in here on this sheet and I will then hook you up with a number." She said with a smile while handing me a sign in sheet.

"Thank you." I said before signing my name on the sheet.

"Oh. Should I pay you now or later for the room?" I quickly say to her.

"Later since you must be tired from all that traveling."

"Yes, I am. It was quite the journey to get here."

She only nods her head in agreement before showing me to my room where I would be staying in for the next few days.

Once she has shown me my room, she says good night to me before heading back downstairs herself.

I sigh and unlock the door to my room and walk in.

I turn on the light so I could see and set my suitcase on the chair that sat in front of a small desk in one corner of the room.

The bed sat upon against the middle window, facing the tv that sat on the dresser across from it. The bathroom was next to the front door and the window was just above the desk to where I could see enough outside that there wasn't many people out and about.

Not much night life. I thought.

Makes sense since it's a small town located in a valley far from the city.

I go to sit on the bed to take off my shoes when I see a piece of paper sticking out from the dresser.

"What's that?" I said to myself. I get off the bed and walk over to it. I then take the paper out of the drawer and read it.

You can imagine my surprise when I read the note in which it read:

'Don't tell her that I was here.'

-Kana