1:17am. I awake from a nightmare that feels all too real to a seemingly unnatural chill inside my hotel room. Instead of crawling out of bed to adjust the heat, I toss and turn. After staring at the plain white walls for awhile, I eventually roll over onto my back and gaze at the ceiling. Before long, I kick the covers off me.
Unable to go back to asleep, I wrap a blanket around me. Then, I turn up the heat and pull a chair close to the heater. When the chill finally goes away, I slide the curtains back just far enough to peer out into the night.
It's peaceful outside. Snow flurries are already accumulating in places, but it doesn't appear to be much more than just a light dusting on the ground. Ever so often, a car pulls into the parking lot and headlights shine in the hotel window when it passes. I'm tempted to go out for a late night stroll. Instead, I elect to stay inside where it's warm. Before too long, I drift off to sleep in the chair.
Several hours later I awake; sweating. Sunlight is shining through the window. As I come to my senses, I realize I'm naked from the waist up with the curtains partially open. Snatching the blanket over my breasts, I stumble to my feet. My head; aching.
"Fuck," I cuss, closing the curtains.
A rumbling sound in my stomach motivates me to get dressed. After packing my belongings and freshening up a little, I slide the dresser away from the door. A set of fresh footprints in the snow at my window unnerve me as exit my hotel room heading to the reception desk.
"Are you checking out," the receptionist asks.
"One night is enough," I say.
"How was your stay," he inquires.
"Let's just say it was eye opening experience."
"Eye opening?"
"I'll leave it at that," I say, laying the key on the counter.
I should mention what happened last night, but there's no point. I won't be staying another night. Anyway, after I leave, I head across the street to the restaurant for a bite to eat.
A gust of wind whips my long hair as I make my way across the street. My paces quickens. When I reach for the door, a hand grabs a hold to my shoulder. Without thinking, I spin around and slap someone across the cheek. Before I realize it's Scott, I whip my hand back around.
"Damn, take it easy," he hollers, grabbing my wrist.
"Don't scare me like that," I say, yanking my arm from his grasp.
"Sorry."
"Are you alright," I inquire.
"I will be after a cup of coffee."
"C'mon, I'll buy you a cup. It's the least I can do."
"Works for me," he says, opening the door.
"What're you doing here," I
"I told you I would be yesterday."
"I forgot."
The restaurant is jammed packed with people, mostly tourists. Once we find a place to sit, I order us a cup of coffee and something to eat. For the most part, Scott seems distant. After being an ass to him yesterday, I wait for him to start a conversation.
"You seem edgy," he says, looking over the rim of his coffee cup. "What's eating at you?"
"I didn't sleep well last night, Scott."
"I told you that hotel was cheap."
"Someone came into my hotel room last night and stole my panties."
"Must've been a tourist," he says, sitting his cup down.
"They left a note on the nightstand."
"Hahaha...," he chuckles. "Definitely a tourist."
"It was kinda sick - and disturbing," I mention.
"Don't let it bother you, Amanda."
My eyes water as my emotions get the better of me.
"I'm not, but - ," I pause, sniffling, "but I'm a long way from home with no one to talk to."
"You can talk to me."
"On top of that, my brother is missing," I add, wiping a tear from my eye. "I don't know if he's hurt - or worse."
"Everything will be okay," he says, placing his hand on my thigh, "I promise."
"I'm sorry about yesterday," I say, sliding his hand to a more appropriate spot.
