94

one

20 years old. Finally moving out.

Don't get me wrong. I love my family to pieces, but I'm growing up. I need to learn how to be on my own. I'm moving pretty far away for an 20 year old. From Atlanta, Georgia, to Clearwater, Michigan. I don't care, I'm being independent and living where I want to live.

My brother, Nick, hugs me at the airport. He's only 14, he'll be here a while. I hug my parents one more time.
"We love you, Adi," my mom says.

"I love you too," I whisper. I don't cry that much, not even at times like this. "I'll visit during Christmas time and other holidays."

My dad smiles. As we all exchange words before I have to go to the gates, busy people are everywhere. Scurrying, roaming, frantic busy people. I wave goodbye as I start to leave. The plane comes shortly, and it is time to board. I fall asleep instantly, and before I know it, I'm in Detroit.
******
The taxi pulls into a lot. The building is huge. This is my new home. For some reason, the place looks odd from the outside. There is a cracked window at one of the rooms on the top floor. I don't care, I'm not staying there anyway.

The air is cool in the night. I didn't realize that it was already 10pm. As I enter the lobby, it gets unnaturally colder. I'm almost shivering. I go to the front desk to get my keys and to sign the papers to live here. A man greets me with a smile. He is tall and has short black hair.

"Adrienne Woods" I say casually.

He looks up my name in the computer.

"Ah, yes! You are living here? Correct?" He asks. I nod and he hands me a load of papers.

"Fill these out please and I'll give you the keys. You will also have to pay monthly"

After I fill out the papers, I hand them to him. In return, he hands me my keys.

"So you think you're brave enough to live here?" the employee asks.

"Yeah, why?" I ask. What kind of question is that?

"Well, you do know this is the most haunted hotel in the nation, don't you?" his blue eyes stare into mine.

"I did not know that."

He leans in slightly. "I shouldn't say much, but it's true. But I can't say lots about it, or else he will come after me and most likely you."

I frown. "Who?"

"You don't believe in ghosts or any of that stuff do you?" He avoids my question. I shake my head. "Well. Good for you. You won't be scared when he comes."

"What are you talking about? I don't believe in any of this" I say. I don't care either.

"That's good."

"When does 'he' come?" I ask.

"The first of each month. But for some odd reason, nothing ever happens on February 1st. Not one murder always on that day," he whispers.

"Murders?" I ask.

"Miss Woods, you should go to your room. Have a lovely stay. And don't talk of this anywhere inside here. He will come for you."

"Ok.. Thanks," I squint to read his name tag. "Logan."

He nods and I walk quickly to the elevators. It is quite busy, considering that it's almost 10:45. There is a large group of people standing by the elevators. Children looking half asleep and their parents looking even worse. I don't know why they're so tired. I sometimes stay up way later than 10:45.

Across from the cluster of people stands a figure. A hood is over his head and he is looking down. I know it's a boy, he's very tall. He glances up and stares at everyone. I watch him for a while. He doesn't move a muscle, just watches. Suddenly his glance shoots towards me and he looks me straight in the eye. The intimidation in his eyes drives me to look away, almost feeling sick.

His eyes. They are so bright.

My gaze falls back to the elevators. The group is now cramming into the small space that will soon take them to their rooms, where their beds are, to sleep. But just as I'm about to squeeze myself in, a hand grabs my arm.

"We'll take the next one." The voice is deep and raspy. A slight British accent.

I turn and see that it was the boy who stared at everyone. Now that I'm closer, I can see more of his features. Just not his hair. He is staring down making it so his eyes look like they're closed. His jaw is clenched. His bottom lip is taken in between his teeth. He looks up and I see his eyes. They are bright. So unnaturally bright. Unnaturally green. Unnatural.

He notices me staring and turns his head away.

"Don't look at me" he whispers.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Just don't," he says with more aggravation. He presses number 14 on the buttons.

"Floor?"

"12"

"Ah. Right below me."

I sigh and cross my arms. This will be a long ride it seems. After what feels like minutes of silence, I speak up.

"I could've fit in that elevator" I state. Easily.

I hear him chuckle slightly. "Then I wouldn't have anyone to go up with me."

"I don't even know you. So if you're trying to get laid-"

"Hell no. I just need someone with me, that's all," he laughs. His head is still turned away from my face.

"Well, can I know your name?" I ask. "Since we're elevator buddies now."

"Hmm. Can I know yours?" he avoids my question.

I huff. "Adi. Short for Adrienne. Can I know your name now?"

"No, it's not that important. I'll tell you when I see you again" he says.

"When you see me again?"

"See you around, Adrienne." That is all he says until the elevator opens to floor 12 and he makes room for me to exit. I look back and see him smile at me with his bright emerald eyes, like daggers in my skin.