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I did it!
I cracked the code!
'The numbers were equal to the letters on an old phone. The first number 2 stands for the letter A. The set of numbers 777, stands for the letter R if you press it three times. The set of numbers 444, stands for the letter I then 2-A, 66-N, 66-N 22-A spelling out the word and it spelled out the word ‘Arianna.’'
'And to think this was a number sequence.' I laugh and lay back on the bed. 'But who is Arianna?'
There was only one way to find out. Leaving the Motel for the day and buying a new flashlight at a hardware store, I sneak into the school at night.
“Still you should have called Jake. He could have solved it for you within seconds.” the kitsune said as it trotted beside me.
I stop walking in the dark hallway and gave it a look that said it all.
“Hey! I did tell you he is the only person you can trust.” It replied.
I ignored it and continued to walk using my flashlight to light my way.
“I know why you are avoiding him but what if you get hurt?” its ears dropped. “I can’t stay with you for a long time!”
'Then why did you give me the blade?' I ask.
It said nothing as I felt a sinister presence. Turning around, I come face to face with a ghost who was not too pleased to see me. It lashed at me but I backed away and take out the Imperial Blade from my bag.
‘Sorry. Not tonight.’
With that, I swipe it across its neck and watched it disappear. Then more angry ghosts appeared each with red eyes and I attack them. Some did attack me sending waves of pain through my body but I manage to vanquish them and rush to the Headmaster’s office.
“Doing my work I see.” the ghost said as it handed me the file.
I groan and collapse to the ground.
“Don't worry.” he poured wine into his cup and sipped it. “You will feel as bright as a daisy in the morning. Trust me.”
I take his word for it and open the file.
‘Shoot! It says here that she is deceased but was staying at a hotel called Masturbates Hotel located at the Eastside of town.’
I shut the file and shudder at the name.
“Aren’t you going to take the file with you?” it asks sitting on the Headmaster's chair.
‘Why should I?’
Then it disappeared immediately when the door burst open and Caroline walked in with Stan behind her. "It seems you don’t need my help do you, Emma?"
I take my time to recover from the initial shock she gave me. "What do you mean?"
She walked over to me and snatched the file from my hands.
“Hey!” I protested but she ignored me and gave it to Stan.
“Do you know this place?” she asked.
Stan smiled. “Yep.”
“Good. You will take Emma there.”
I saw where this was going. “No Caroline. I…”
“I don’t want another failure, Emma.” She glared back at me. “First you let Gwen die who was trying to help you and now you are pushing Stan away. Do you think you could survive this ordeal alone?”
I keep my mouth shut because I was tired of being reminded of the same thing over and over again. Looking at Stan who had a creepy smile on his face, I groaned.
"Eastside of town, eight o clock. Don't be late." I said walking past them.
The next day….
“You betrayed me!” Jake yelled while stabbing me repeatedly in the chest. “Why did you go with Stan? You said you cared about me yet you went with Stan!”
I wake up with a start and a cold feeling in my chest. Wiping the drool from my chin, I get up and go to the bathroom.
“It’s okay.” A voice said. “It is just side effects of healing after your battle with the ghosts.”
I splash a handful of water on my face. “Side effects?”
“I forgot to mention that nightmares are the side effects when you are attacked by ghosts. Your current one predicted your fear.”
I look at myself in the mirror and imagined Jake opening the bathroom door with a bloody knife in his hands. Goosebumps appeared on my skin and I look at the sink.
“Tell me, Emma, are you afraid of him or are you afraid of falling in love again?"
I look to my right recalling how I murdered my conscience after killing my first victim. I was a timid girl despite my size and because of that, bullying me was easy. Then someone walked into my heart showing me a ray of hope only to destroy it and leave me broken. My plan to commit murder and kill myself on the school's grounds was foiled by Mrs. Jenkins who reignited my conscience and gave me another ray of hope.
'Now I am in a new school and plunged into this supernatural adventure of my own will to atone for my sins but I swore to never fall in love and if I did, I will never confess my feelings to my love interest to save myself from another heartbreak.'
"But you broke that promise the day you crushed on your teacher and the night confessed your feelings to Gwen during a heated argument." the kitsune said.
A car passed by honking loudly and I sigh.
'I know.'
'So what's wrong with loving him?' it swished its tails to the left then to the right.
'He is a lunatic!'
"True but he is better than your former lover by a mile," it said swishing its tails. "You are afraid to give him a chance that's all."
I decide to end the conversation there wait impatiently for Stan to arrive and when he didn't show up, I call a taxi and hop in.
"Think about it." the kitsune said as it sat on my lap. "Just imagine if you guys met under normal circumstances."
For some reason I did and many scenarios played in my head. One was me being the school’s next victim, another was me leaving the cursed school thus never having this adventure and NEVER setting my eyes on Jake and the last one was meeting Jake, leaving the school, and…having a somewhat happy ending.
Until I realized he was a killer.
Then the car stopped abruptly and I was nearly thrown off the seat because I was too engrossed to wear a seat belt.
“Are you crazy? Do you want to kill yourself?” the driver yelled.
My heart leaped to my throat because this scenario was eerily similar. Luckily, when I looked outside the car's window, I see Stan standing in the middle of the road.
He entered the car with a chuckle and handed the man some bills. “At least your breaks are working. Take us to Masturbates hotel.”
The man tsked, took the bills from him, and drove off.
“Ah it’s such a nice morning isn’t it?” he asked.
I do not respond and looked out the window but he grabbed me by the hair.
“Come on babe. Do not give me the silent treatment.” He cooed into my ears. “You never gave him the silent treatment. Speaking of which, where is he?”
I step on his foot and he yelped letting me go. Rubbing the place where it hurts, I looked out the window until we got to our destination.
“Good morning my dear. How are you?” asked a short bald man with bushy eyebrows and big eyes.
I cringed as he spat on his desk and cleaned it with a filthy rag. "I...am fine."
We stared at each other for a moment.
"So, do you want to check out our new swimming pool?" he asks.
I shake my head. "I am here to check in for the night."
His face lit up once I said that. "Really?"
I nod and he quickly brought out a huge book.
"So...what's your name sweetie?" he asked dipping the pen into his mouth.
I cringe again. "Emma Cross-wood."
He wrote it down and asked me to pay up which I did in cash.
"What about your friend? Is he paying?" he asked.
I look at Stan who had a grin on his face. "Nah. I am here to check out your new swimming pool."
"Okay, sonny. It's over there in the courtyard by the right. You can't miss it." the man cheerfully said.
I watched Stan head over there with his nail-studded baseball bat and looked back at the receptionist who handed me the key to my room.
"I hope you have a nice night here sweetie he said with a toothy grin that exposed his golden tooth. "And make sure you check out our new swimming pool while you are at it. It's our star attraction in this hotel."
Taking a look at the number on the key, I go to the room on the second floor and open it. What greeted me was an awful smell of booze and sardines and a hideous pink decor that was an insult to the renaissance period.
'Gosh! What a mess!' I thought touching the bedsheets which were coated in dust. 'When was this ever cleaned?'
The bathroom walls, showers, and bathtub were covered in mold and the cupboard had an ant's nest inside. Irritated, I leave the room and go back to the front desk.
"Going to complain to the receptionist?" asked the kitsune.
"No," I say going to the front desk. There, I catch the man sitting on a chair watching a show on an old TV. Taking a peek, I see he's watching...Sailor Moon?
Something struck my head and everything went dark.
"Mommy! Let's watch Sailor Moon!'" I chirped holding my small arms out to the woman in red and she had scribbles across her eyes.
"Sure thing but where's your father?'" she asks, her voice fading away as she disappeared.
"Hey, kid. Are you awake?"
I open my eyes to see the man behind the desk staring at me.
"Oh. Thank God you are okay," he said as I slowly sat up. "I thought you were dead."
I groan, touch my head and look around.
I was back in my hotel room.
"Are you okay? I can get you a glass of water."
"No thanks." I look out the window and see it's dark. "How long have I been out?"
"More than three hours," he replied closing the curtains. "You were mumbling in your sleep, saying something about Sailor Moon so I thought you were still alive. That's why I didn't call for help."
'Did I chant that in my sleep?' embarrassed, I decide to change the topic. "What do you know about this place?"
"Hmm?" he stared at me.
“Can you tell me about Arianna?” I ask again.
He cocked an eyebrow. “What are you? A detective?”
“No. I am just a journalist writing a story.”
“So you are one of those working for a small paper eh?” he laughed while I felt a sense of relief. “Well, I don’t know much about the former owner. All I know is this place was abandoned two years ago.”
I was shocked. “Two years ago?”
He nodded. “Some say the place was used to host a girl’s cult. The leader was a woman obsessed with her beauty but she passed away here. The police saw her body along with the bodies of girls and men in the basement. It looked like they were doing some kind of ritual or something.”
He coughed and spat on the rug.
“After the police cleared away the corpses, no one wanted to buy the place. Well, I did, renovated it, and haven’t looked back since. Isn’t it amazing?”
I frown at the bleak information. ‘It looks like I am stuck again.'
“Is there any way I can get more information on this hotel and its owner?”
He grunted and opened the door. “Nope but if you do, don’t tell anyone okay? I am trying to get customers here.”
I watched him walk out of the room only to open the door again.
"Oi, did you say Arianna?"
"Yes sir," I reply confused.
He scratched his head and brightened up with a smile. "Oh, I knew that name sounds familiar. She was living here at that time."
"Wh...why was she living here?"
He shrugged. "I am not sure but I did hear a rumor that she was spying on someone building a school out here. Pretty strange if you ask me."
Then he shut the door once more and left me to collect my thoughts. Confused, I decided to write something in my journal and explore the hotel. Leaving the room with my bag, I walk down the hall and come face to face with a mirror at the end of it.
'That wasn't there before.' I walk closer and see my reflection in it. After adjusting my hair and straitening up myself I walk away and head to the swimming pool area.
'Gosh! The smell is worse here.' I thought and out of the blue, the door to my right swung open and something caught my leg, dragging me into the room.
I hold on to the door frame, take out the blade and stab the hand holding my leg. With the creature's hand gone, I scramble to my feet only to be grabbed at the back and dragged into another room. This time the kitsune saved me by slashing the creature's hands with its claws.
"We have to get out of here," it said running ahead of me and I followed.
As we ran down the stairs, some more creatures tried to drag me into their rooms but I scar their hands before getting to the swimming pool area.
"Wh...what was that?" I ask.
The kitsune shook itself and huffed. "I don't know. There were no ghosts when I inspected the place."
"So those things are monsters?"
"I...I am not sure."
Then something splashed in the water. Curious, I take a look at the murky waters and see something swimming in it and back away.
"There...there's something in the water," I said.
The kitsune took a peek as the water bubbled again. "It looks like a strong vengeful spirit. Don't worry, I will get rid of it."
We went back to the hall and were attacked by more ghosts which were vanquished by me. Heading to the front desk I notice a page of a newspaper behind the desk and go to take a look at it.
"What does it say?" asked the kitsune.
I was about to read it when footsteps came my way. Hiding underneath the desk, I see a pair of feet underneath the desk. Then I hear the front door open and followed by another set of footsteps.
"Well, young man what can I do for you?" the man asked.
"Good evening. I like to get a room here."
'Jake!' I cover my mouth as my heart skipped a beat. 'How did he find me?'
"Sure thing." his feet disappeared and I hear the jingle of keys.
"Have you seen this girl?"
His feet appeared underneath the desk. "Yeah. She checked in this morning. Why do you ask?"
"Can you tell me which room she is staying in?"
"Why?" he spat on the carpet sending a wave of irritation in me. "She is a journalist working on a story on this place."
"I am her assistant and she sent me a text to come here. I think this is Masturbates Hotel?"
The man laughed. "Sure. You are at the right place son but I suggest you shouldn't go disturb her."
"Why not?"
"I left her in the room the last time we met. She fainted for some reason and I bet she is sleeping right now."
"Oh," there was disappointment in his voice. "But I can see her tomorrow right?"
"Sure." the man chuckled and Jake's footsteps echoed down the hall until they disappeared.
I stayed put in my hiding place until the man decided to leave. Emerging from my hiding spot, I put the page of the newspaper in my bag and wait for him to come back.
"Oh I didn't know you were awake." he zipped up his trousers and smiled.
I force a smile back. "I want to check out."
A look of worry appeared on his face. "Are you sure ma'am? It's still dark outside."
"I know but I have somewhere urgent to be right now." I fidget and tightened the grip on the strap of my bag.
He hummed, cocked an eyebrow, and sat back on his old chair. "Okay, ma'am. Drop the keys to your room and you are good to go."
That's when I realized that I didn't the keys with me. Apologizing, I go back to the corridor to get the keys.
"I think I left them on the door," I whispered to myself but stop short when I witness Jake come out of my room.
"Well, she's not in there," he said shutting the door and putting the keys in his pocket.
"Shoot! Now, what will I do." I mutter as he walked away.
"Leave it to me." the kitsune trotted behind Jake who disappeared behind the corner.
I hear a whisper behind me and turn to see the mirror.
'How...' I look down the hall and then back at the mirror. 'How did you get from here to there?'
Then my reflection transformed into a grey-haired boy with bloodshot eyes, and pale skin with a chain around his neck. I backed away as it breathed steam on the mirror and started to write.
'Don't worry. I won't harm you.'
I gulped. "Who...who are you?"
'Read the newspaper clipping.'
I take it out of my bag and look at it but the words on the paper faded away leaving the words 'Arianna, Sakou Corp, and College.'
"Arianna, Sakou Corp... what does this mean?"
I hear a sound and quickly tuck the paper in my bag and was about to leave when he started his side of the mirror.
"What is it?"
He created a steam effect on the mirror and wrote something.
Do not agree to the deal. She is a liar.
"What? Who?" I asked myself but he disappeared.
Then I hear a sound and look just in time to see Stan tumbling to the floor covered in blood. The kitsune ran passed him with the keys in its mouth and dropped them on the floor before me.
"Come on! We have to go!" it said.
I quickly put the keys in my bag while Stan stumbled toward me. I hold him up and lead him to the front desk where I tossed the keys and run out the front door.
"The cocky bastard," Stan grunted as I placed him near the wall. "I nearly had him."
"What happened?" I ask trying to catch my breath.
He gave a cheeky grin. "What do you think happened?"
Taking a quick guess, I shake my head at him and sigh.
"But look at the bright side, I was close to killing him. I just miscalculated my surprise attack."
'If he is trying to gain sympathy from me it's not working.' I thought because it was clear he didn't learn a thing after the incident with Gwen.
Stan propped himself up and I notice his injuries have started to heal. "So, what did you find in there now that the b!tch is shot dead?"
I take out the newspaper page from my bag but was in shock when I looked at it.
It was blank.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHhUm592ie
