Discord

His non-musings were ended by the sound of an approaching car. Sure enough, headlights swung down into the row Tim was sitting in. He hastily got to his feet, not wanting to be found sitting where this person may try to park. Mid-scramble Tim realized that he also didn’t want to be seen skulking around a motel parking lot at night. Classic lose/lose. To try and mitigate the situation a bit Tim started to dig around in his pockets while turning towards his room. The “dig for key” ruse did indeed make him feel like he looked normal. While he was down in his pocket the car had gotten closer, further slowing down as it approached. Tim decided to commit fully and actually grab his key and go back in the room. He didn’t want to cross paths with anyone if he could avoid it.

He pulled the card out and started to take the few last steps towards his door as the car parked behind him, its occupant clearly in a room near theirs.

A door slammed behind him.

Tim seized for a moment mid-stride at the sound then kept moving, a half step to go. Almost there.

“It’s not right.”

Tim froze, inches from being able to touch his door. The man had spoken loudly and pointedly enough that Tim knew he was being spoken to.

Tim turned.

The man addressing him stood facing the door two rooms down from them. The man’s right hand was outstretched towards the lock, key card leading the way. Yet the card hovered just below where it would need to go to unlock the door. just… below…

“What’s happening to you isn’t right.”

His inflection was conversational, which was at stark odds with the fact that the man seemed paused a split second before opening the door, eyes staring straight ahead. Tim was stuck to the spot.

“You can end it.”

There were a few ways to take this, and Tim didn’t like any of the ones that came to mind. He didn’t like this. At all. A small lightness started to lift from the pit of his stomach. The start of dread. The man himself was unassuming, middle aged, wearing an off the rack grey suit. A too silly tie Tim would bet was from a child. And running shoes. Immaculate white and expensive looking. The foot attire after the “traveling salesman” look from head to ankle was jarring.

Tim had already started to turn back towards his room when the man started to move also. His outstretched hand started to tremble.

“You are not alone.”

Tim was already half-way back into his room when this home spun bit of wisdom dropped behind him. Ok.

“Rachel, it’s me! I am NOT going back outside.” Tim didn’t see Rachel on entering the room and figured she was in the bathroom. He turned around and locked every part of the doors and windows he could, refusing to even glance outside while he did it.

Tim decided not to tell Rachel about their adorable almost neighbor. She may have some knowledge that might be pertinent, but she didn’t seem to be doing very well right now. At least she hadn’t when he had left.

“Mmfrgle.” Was all he heard from the bathroom but it let him know she was alright.

Tim was feeling a bit self-conscious about his next move here. There had been no under drawers or toiletries in their gift bag which destined him for a smelly night and an even smellier morning. He decided to get under the covers and peel his jeans off while he was beneath them. He managed it quickly and tossed his jeans out and onto the floor. Tim then powered his phone off and put it next to him. He didn’t have a charger and he certainly wasn’t expecting any calls.

The mundane strangeness of the setting wouldn’t leave him. He was half naked in a hotel room with a strange woman. Not a situation he had been in a long time. And had never been very comfortable with.

The bathroom door clicked open and Rachel emerged, looking damp. She had found some way to wash up a bit.

“Don’t even think about it. You’re married. And she’s waiting for you.” Rachel said this with complete seriousness, Tim hoped she was messing with him.

“I would never! I didn’t! I’m not like that!” Instantly defensive, hackles raised.

Rachel just gave him a wry smile as she shut the lights off and double checked the locks on the door and windows. Joking after all.

She took the remote from near the television, guided by the flat white light spilling through their curtains. She fiddled with it a bit to turn the tv on.

“I can’t sleep without it.” She said this apologetically and Tim didn’t have the heart to argue, even though he much preferred to sleep in complete darkness and silence. After his time in the hospital, he could deal with a tv on for a few nights.

“There’s a park I want to check out tomorrow.” Rachel had reached the same undressing solution as him, her jeans joining his on the floor after she had tucked herself under the covers. Piles of hoodies already occupied much of her side of the room. “It’s only a few minutes away, won’t hold us up.”

“Sure…” he caught a faint whiff of pungent smoke.

Tim wasn’t certain who he would be when he woke up tomorrow, but he was ready to find out. He propped himself up on the pillows as best he could and closed his eyes.

“Good-night Rachel.”

“’night.”

He did not remember falling asleep, as is often the case. Even though Rachel fell asleep hours after him, they were both un-aware of the flashing red lights that pulsed through the side of their curtains for twenty minutes so late in the night that it was actually early in the morning. Neither heard the murmured voices that escorted a body out of the room two doors down.