Death at the Orleans Hotel

Part 1

I looked around at the dust covered tables and furniture, and felt my eyes well up. She was the only family I had left, and now-

"Hey," Alex looked at me with a pained smile. "You okay?"

"Yeah." I answered bitterly, blinking away tears. I offered a brave smile back that probably turned out as a grimace.

When Alex Rose, my friend who had helped me move, offered to stay with me, I turned him down. It just didn't feel right letting Alex into her house without her in it to welcome him. Right before he left, Alex cast a reassuring smile back at me, then walked to the cab he had called. After he left, I sat down on the dust covered sofa, trying to not think about all of the times my grandma had sat here too. She was the only one who was left for me, the only one who had cared. I couldn't stay here. It just didn't feel right, to just take all of the things that were hers and call them my own. I stood up and grabbed my keys. As I got into the car, I gave the old house one last longing look, and I turned the ignition. I drove into town, and stopped when I got to the nearest hotel. I looked at the name. I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew this place from somewhere. Orleans hotel... Now where have I heard that name from?

I walked into the foyer, and I was pleasantly surprised by the decoration. It looked as though if it were built in the 1950s, and had been preserved well. I walk up to the desk, and rang the service bell. Almost immediately, a small woman with wide eyes and a short stature appeared, but something seemed off about her. I just couldn't point out what. I checked in, paid for two nights, and she handed me my stay receipt. "What is your name, dearie?" she asked, showing her yellow teeth. "Elise Everett," I responded as I headed up to my room. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the Desk Lady watching me, writing a name on a clipboard. I shudder, but remind myself that it would be better to stay here than at the house. I just needed some time. I scanned the doors in the hallway. 102, 103... 104! Finally, it took so long. But why are some of the rooms missing number tags? I put the key into the doorknob and as soon as I walked into the room, a wave of dust hit me. It was like this room hadn't been used for 50 years. I immediately settle down onto the couch and pull out my phone. As if on time, a call from Alex came up, and I immediately declined. I felt bad, but I needed some alone time. I put down my phone and decided to check out the bookcase placed in my room. I left the house in such a hurry, I even forgot to bring my favorite book that was on the counter. I'm glad that it was there. I picked up several books, and carried them to my bed. I look at the three books I was carrying in my arms.

Murder on the Orient Express

Tell Tale Heart

On Fire

I start to open Tell Tale Heart, and ashes fall out of the old classic novel. I jumped back from the bed, startled. As I inspected the blankets, there were blackened edges on the blankets that I hadn't noticed before. I glance around me uneasily, seeing dark grey and black splotches on the drywall. I slowly close Tell Tale Heart, scared of my surroundings. What has happened here?

I notice the antique grandfather clock on the wall. It rang nine times, signaling that it was 9 o'clock at night. I yawned, and not even pausing to change, fell onto the bed.

Right before I fell asleep, I saw the black spots covering the walls.