Stranger Danger

Part 4

After walking about 15 yards, both teens found themselves standing in front of a huge, very old looking building that resembled a 50s style mansion. It looked nothing like a motel. Cassidy and Tyler shared an uncertain look. Before they could think twice about what they were doing, Cassidy felt something drop on her forehead. She wiped it away, seeing that it was water, and looked up at the sky, noticing light rain. She looked over at Tyler who had also noticed. "Come on," she said, taking steps towards the old building. "Let's go see if there's anyone in there." Tyler slowly followed. Cassidy knocked on the hardwood door, hearing the knocks echo through the inside of the building.

After waiting a few seconds, the door opened and a woman's friendly face appeared as she was barefoot, in a plain, navy blue dress with a white apron around her waist, and a white head covering over her brown hair. "Um, hello?" she said in a slight accent.

Cassidy took a small step forward and scratched her head. "Um, hi. My friend and I ended up here, in Lancaster, by accident. Some woman gave us directions to a motel that isn't there anymore, and we stumbled upon this one while searching for others." Cassidy hoped that she sounded mature. The rain was now coming down a little stronger. "We're completely lost and we don't know where to go. Is, um, is this still a motel?"

"Well, not anymore, but come on in before you get all wet from the rain. Bring your things." The woman opened the door wider. Grateful, Cassidy stepped into the large front hall of the house. Tyler followed and the woman closed the door behind them. The inside of the house had 50s style decoration. "Leave your things here and come into the kitchen." The teens followed the woman's orders and trailed behind her to the kitchen. As they passed a large room, which appeared to be the living room, they noticed two kids sitting on the floor, facing a small, old-looking television, like the ones that were used back then. The ceiling in the house was very high, with expensive-looking lights hanging from it. In the big kitchen, the teens took a seat on high chairs at the table. The woman, who was a little chubby, pulled up a chair and sat down, facing them. "So, tell me what happened. Maybe I can help." The two teens hesitated before they started to explain their story from the beginning.

After they finished, the woman said with sympathy, "Oh, you poor children! Why don't you kids stay here for a bit?"

"Um, are you sure?" Cassidy asked. "I mean, you said that this place isn't a motel anymore, so this is where you live with your family?"

The woman smiled. "Yes, this is our home. It used to be a hotel actually. Years ago. The Beiler family has owned this house and land for the longest time. My name is Glinda Beiler by the way." She stuck out her right hand. The teens took turns to shake it. "I don't see why you kids wouldn't be welcome to stay here for a bit."

Cassidy looked at Tyler, who shrugged one shoulder as if to say, 'What other options do we have?' Cassidy turned back to Glinda's eager face and glowing eyes. "Um, sure. Okay, we'll stay for a bit, but, uh, can I use a phone to call one of my friends? I told her I'd contact her as soon as we found shelter."

"Well of course! Let me go get it." Glinda got up and left the kitchen briefly. She returned empty-handed, the smile gone from her face. "Um, I'm really sorry, but the phone isn't working since it's raining pretty hard outside." She sounded upset. "This usually happens when the weather is like this. For the next three or four days, it's supposed to be rainy. And I mean, heavy rain that doesn't stop or even rest for an hour. Thunder or lightning usually comes with it."

Cassidy got a worried look on her face. She looked around for a window, but there weren't any. "Oh, but I really need to call my friend. I told her I would as soon as we found a place to stay with an available phone. And, knowing her, she'll probably be up all night worrying about us."