room service

I can't believe it, but I've never run so fast in my life. My heart and chest seemed to beat in perfect unison, their rhythms merging into one relentless drumming.

At that moment, all I could hear was the steady thud of my own heartbeat.

David, the seasoned athlete, effortlessly handled the room key and reached the front door in just a few strides. Vivian and I hurried inside, swiftly closing and locking the door.

The pounding on the door outside was deafening, and I pressed myself tightly against the wall, straining to understand what was happening on the other side.

Thankfully, the pounding stopped after a few knocks, and the room fell back into an eerie silence.

My phone vibrated once again; it was now 8:40. We had just twenty minutes left until 9:00.

As per the strict rules, nobody could linger in the hallway after 9:00.

we were only allowed to sleep in our assigned rooms. This meant that Vivian not only had to return soon but also that from this day onward, she would be alone in her own room.

"Anna, I'm terrified. What if those things come looking for me again? Please, come with me. I really don't want to die," Vivian pleaded, her tearful eyes making it hard to say no.

However, the rules were clear – we could only sleep in our designated rooms. Accompanying her would mean breaking the rules, and that could lead to dire consequences.

David expressed his disapproval with a grunt and swatted her hand away, his voice dripping with anger.

"Now is not the time for childishness. If we don't stick to the rules, none of us will survive! Don't be selfish! Anna can't risk going with you!"

Vivian's crying abruptly stopped, and she stared at me with blank eyes. I cast my gaze downward, avoiding her hopeful stare. Instinctively, I silently prayed that she wouldn't make a mistake tonight, and that everything would go smoothly.

One minute later, Vivian left. Her expression didn't resemble that of someone returning to her room. it was more akin to a courageous warrior heading into battle.

Her parting words were soft and enigmatic, leaving us to ponder, "You will regret ."

In just a single day, it drained almost all of my energy. I attributed this exhaustion to the extreme stress I had endured, which kept me lying in bed for what seemed like an eternity, unable to find sleep.

Desperately seeking comfort, I casually opened the bottle of low-proof alcohol I had bought earlier. Under its influence, I gradually slipped into a deep slumber.

However, my peace was short-lived. A sharp, persistent noise startled me awake. It wasn't too far away, nor too close; it resembled the sound of someone delicately scratching their fingernails against a door.

My imagination conjured up terrifying scenarios, complete with the vivid image of a shadowy figure standing at the foot of my bed.

Carefully, I nudged David, who lay deeply asleep beside me, only to realize he was completely unresponsive.

"This man is utterly useless,"

I muttered under my breath, retreating beneath the safety of my blanket. Slowly, I opened my eyes, revealing a room bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.

To my immense relief, there was no one else present except for David and me. I let out an involuntary sigh.

The room, it seemed, was secure, at least for the moment.

Knock, knock.

The knocking on the door couldn't have come at a worse time. However, it wasn't our door;

it was the one across the hallway.

Panic surged within me—Vivian might be in danger.

Swiftly, I grabbed my phone, turned on the bedside lamp, and cautiously approached the door, peering outside through the peephole.

A staff member in a white uniform pushed a garbage cart and mechanically continued knocking on the door. "Hello, room service," the staff member called out.

A sinking feeling gripped my chest as I remembered that there shouldn't be room service at this hour.

Vivian, who tended to be absent-minded, probably forgot about this rule.

Desperation filled me as I typed out a message, but all I received in response was an ominous exclamation mark.

Just moments ago, I could make and receive calls, but now, there was no signal!

"Hello, room service," 

An irritable female voice promptly interrupted, and even through the door, I could unmistakably identify it as Vivian's.

She exclaimed, "Room service, you clumsy oaf! Why are you pounding on my door in the dead of night when I'm trying to sleep!"

This was a bad situation, really bad.

Without warning, the hotel room door was forcefully thrust open by the man, and fearful screams echoed from inside.

In a matter of seconds, the man reappeared, pushing the garbage cart.

The person inside the bin had their hair hanging naturally, and their face lacked color.

Vivian had been placed into the trash can like this by him.

I could feel her eyes fixed on me, unwavering from any angle, any position. I could maintain eye contact with her. It was I who had brought them here, and I who couldn't save them.

Knock, knock.

It was the same male voice.

"Hello, room service."

It felt as if someone had a tight grip on my throat.

I could barely catch my breath. I hurried to the bed, clutching David's arm tightly.

He turned instinctively, pulling me into his embrace.

Outside the door, the surroundings gradually quieted, and before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.